FTA / APSA Biosecurity Report 2025/25 - sponsored by TriCal Australia

Welcome to the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Biosecurity Report, your one-stop update on the latest operational issues and notices issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). This report is designed to keep you informed and prepared to manage biosecurity compliance effectively in an ever-changing landscape.

This Week's Summary

Here are the key developments for this week:

• Regulatory Charges Update — New Biosecurity & Imported Food Fees from 1 July 2025
  DAFF has announced changes to biosecurity and imported food regulatory charges, effective 1 July 2025. Following the 2025–26 Biosecurity Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (CRIS), most charges will increase by 2.4% through indexation, and a new one-off charge for approved arrangement and compliance agreement holders will also commence.
  Notably, updates include:
            
  While cost recovery improvements for diagnostics have been deferred to 2026–27, stakeholders should prepare for new billing codes and descriptions from July.
  Members are encouraged to review the full 2025–26 Biosecurity CRIS for detailed pricing tables and transitional arrangements.
  Read more HERE.

• Regulatory Charges Update — 2025–26 Export Cost Recovery Statement Published — No Price Changes
  DAFF has announced that the 2025–26 Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (CRIS) is now available on its website. This statement outlines how export-related fees and levies are applied to recover the cost of services such as inspections, audits, and certification assessments.
  Prices for 2025–26 will remain unchanged from 2024–25, providing certainty for exporters while DAFF's Trade Strategy Taskforce continues reviewing long-term funding models. Fact sheets have also been published on the DAFF website to summarise the export cost recovery fees and charges for 2025–26. Read more HERE.

• China Treatment Certificates — DAFF Clarifies Rules Following FTA Member Engagement
  Following extensive advocacy and close consultation between FTA/APSA members and DAFF, Import Industry Advice Notice 200-2025 has been released to address major challenges around offshore treatment certificates from China. These issues had caused significant delays, extra administrative burdens, and uncertainty for importers and customs brokers under time pressure.
  Under the new guidance, certificates from China-based treatment providers listed as 'approved' are now accepted without needing GACC endorsement (logo), while GACC-endorsed certificates continue to be valid if the provider is listed as 'approved' or not marked as 'unacceptable', 'under review' or 'withdrawn'. Importantly, brokers must ensure correct reporting using the provider's unique AEI number, or enter CN0001MB where applicable.
  This long-awaited update, driven by strong industry feedback, will support smoother cargo clearance and reduce compliance headaches across the supply chain. Read more HERE. 

• Have Your Say — Imported Food Standards Now Live in BICON
  After extensive consultation and strong support from FTA members at recent CPD events, DAFF has completed the integration of imported food safety requirements into the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON), which went live on 15 June 2025.
  Members are encouraged to share their experiences using the updated BICON cases — feedback (positive or constructive) will help refine the system further and may be featured (with consent) to promote these improvements across industry.
  Please send your feedback to Bianca at bflint@ftalliance.com.au. Read more HERE.

• Reminder for Vessels — Updated Crew Disembarkation Reporting via MARS
  DAFF has re-issued guidance on the requirement for all international commercial and cruise vessels to report disembarking crew using the Maritime and Aircraft Reporting System (MARS). Masters or agents must lodge intended disembarkations in the MARS Pre-Arrival Report (PAR) or submit a Disembarking Crew Service Request if plans change.
  Crew must declare biosecurity risk goods or activities (e.g., food, plants, soil, farm visits) before disembarkation. Failure to report accurately may trigger non-compliance actions and potential penalties.
  Masters and agents must also verify correct billing and agency nominations in MARS emails to avoid administrative errors. Read more HERE.

• DCCC Meeting No.100 — Minutes Now Available
  FTA joined DAFF's milestone 100th Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC) meeting on 3 April 2025, where major biosecurity and trade topics were discussed. Highlights included progress on the Biosecurity 2030 Roadmap, the new Three-Year Strategy, rollout of STEPS digital tools, SAC pathway reforms, port planning to 2040, and a 2.4% fee increase from 1 July 2025. Updates on Europe's foot-and-mouth disease situation were also covered.
  This ongoing collaboration helps shape practical policies and support efficient trade while protecting Australia's biosecurity. Read more HERE.

• Lumpy Skin Disease Detected in Italy — Import Conditions Tightened
  DAFF has released Import Industry Advice Notice 207-2025 following the detection of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in Italy. As of 23 June 2025, Italy has been removed from the LSD-free country list, triggering immediate import restrictions on a range of bovine-derived products and dairy goods sourced, manufactured, or exported from Italy.
  This affects dairy (excluding lactose and chocolate), laboratory goods with bovine material, bovine reproductive material, and petfood or veterinary products. Goods already in transit will be assessed case by case.
  DAFF will contact permit holders directly to discuss ongoing arrangements and manage risks for consignments already on the way. Read more HERE.

• New Contact Email for Approved Arrangement Class 19 from 1 July
  From 1 July 2025, DAFF has introduced a single, dedicated email for all enquiries relating to approved arrangement class 19: class19@aff.gov.au.
  This new point of contact will handle questions on registrations, variations, fees, Learnhub tenancy, CBC training, general class 19 issues, and AEPCOMM BICON accounts. Existing AEP email addresses will be redirected temporarily, but members are urged to update their records now to avoid disruption. Read more HERE.

• Applications Open — Export of Persimmons to Thailand in 2026
  Applications are now open for Queensland farms and packhouses seeking accreditation to export persimmons to Thailand for the 2026 season. Completed applications must be submitted to DAFF by 5:00pm (AEST) on 1 September 2025, with no late submissions accepted.
  Crop monitors must complete their online training and assessment by 26 September 2025 to remain eligible. Farms and packhouses will undergo audits, and properties with outstanding debts must resolve them before accreditation is granted.
  Members are encouraged to prepare early to ensure compliance and avoid delays. Read more HERE.

• Publication of EU country risk rating and guidance on European Union Deforestation Regulation
  DAFF has released Industry Advice Notice 2025-02, citing that the European Commission has classified Australia as low risk under the new European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This means only 1% of regulated goods from Australia will be checked at EU borders, and exporters can follow a simplified due diligence process.
  Despite this easier pathway, Australian exporters of cattle, hides, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soya, wood, and related products must still provide detailed geolocation and land use data to EU importers to prove compliance.
  New EU guidance and FAQs are now available to help exporters prepare, with key EUDR deadlines starting from 30 December 2025 for large EU businesses and 30 June 2026 for smaller operators. Read more HERE.

• NASAA Steps Down as Organic Certifier — Action Needed for Exporters
  DAFF has advised that as of 26 June 2025, NASAA Certified Organic (NCO) has stopped all activities as an approved certifying body. NCO has been a major player in certifying Australian organic and bio-dynamic producers and exporters to meet national and overseas standards.
  This change affects all operators currently certified by NASAA — they will no longer receive assessments, certification renewals, or export certificates. Impacted businesses need to contact another approved certifying body promptly to maintain compliance and avoid export disruptions. Read more HERE.

Cargo Operations Snapshot

2025-2026 FTA Online CPD & CBC Training Packages

• Meeting 100 2025 – Communique 
• Meeting 100 2025 – FNL Minutes * UPDATED * 

Biosecurity Treatment Providers Reference Group (BTPRG)

On 1 July 2020, Freight & Trade Alliance established the Biosecurity Treatment Providers Reference Group (BTPRG) designed to provide a One Voice platform for treatment providers to engage with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to deliver nationally consistent advocacy position(s) to government to lead reform and implement best practice. You can read our terms of reference HERE.
If you would like more information, please contact John Park.  The value of the group has been acknowledged by DAFF as can be seen HERE.


As always, we encourage members to share their feedback and insights to help us identify issues and advocate for improvements on your behalf.

Tom Jensen - General Manager Freight Policy & Operations - FTA / APSA

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