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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 in Biosecurity

This week we have seen a number of emerging and ongoing operational issues impacting industry. Of particular concern are member reports of extended delays in prawn inspections, which are causing significant costs for importers, including reefer power charges, storage fees, and shipping line penalties. The delays have been traced to non-compliance by some importers, triggering 100% re-inspection—a process taking officers up to eight additional days. Following our discussions, DAFF has issued IIAN 263-2025 and is exploring options, including re-export of non-compliant consignments, to ease the backlog.

Summary

Here are the key developments for this week:

Change to Methyl Bromide Fumigation Methodology – Consignment Suitability Declaration
The specific plastic wrapping/impervious surface/timber thickness statement is no longer required. This requirement has been replaced in Version 3.0 of the Methyl Bromide Fumigation Methodology with a broader consignment suitability declaration on the Record of Fumigation.
The new declaration covers key factors including gas-tightness, packaging type, and access for monitoring, providing a more comprehensive assessment of the consignment's readiness for fumigation. Read more HERE.

Managing Methyl Bromide Risks When Unpacking Containers
Methyl bromide is a colourless, odourless (at low concentrations) fumigant used to prevent pest entry into Australia. It is a dangerous cumulative poison and neurotoxin, with delayed health effects that may include headaches, dizziness, respiratory irritation, pulmonary oedema, or death. We sourced the following information sheet from Safe Work Australia that might be of interest if you are unpacking treated containers (It's an oldie but a goodie). Read more HERE.

BMSB 2025–26 Season Updates & Industry Sessions

The 2025–26 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Risk Season begins on
1 September 2025, with most measures unchanged but several key updates:

Emerging Risk Countries – Republic of Korea and Japan added; goods manufactured in and shipped from these countries will undergo random inspections (no mandatory treatment).
Airfreight Inspections – High-risk goods arriving by air from the United States and China will be subject to random inspections only (no treatment).
New Treatment Option – Ethyl Formate approved for offshore treatment.
Revised Application Process – New process introduced for in-transit goods and goods rolled over from previous seasons. Read more HERE.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will host two online information sessions outlining the 2025–26 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) seasonal measures. These apply to certain goods shipped to Australia as sea cargo between 1 September 2025 and 30 April 2026.

Session details:

BMSB Information Session 1 – Virtual Event

Location: Microsoft Teams
Date: 19 August 2025
Time: 12.00 pm to 1:00 pm AEST

Join session here.

BMSB Information Session 2 – Virtual Event

Location: Microsoft Teams
Date: 21 August 2025
Time: 3.00 pm to 4:00 pm AEST

Join session here.

First Detection of Potato Mop-Top Virus in Australia

Biosecurity Tasmania has confirmed Australia's first detection of potato mop-top virus (PMTV) on a north-west Tasmanian farm. The virus, previously exotic to Australia, poses no risk to human health but can significantly reduce yield and quality, potentially impacting the $300 million Tasmanian potato industry.

The detection followed a grower's report earlier this year, with subsequent testing confirming the virus in multiple potato varieties on the property. PMTV is spread via a soil-borne fungus and can cause rust-coloured arcs in tuber flesh, leaf yellowing, and stunted growth.

An incident management team has been established, and containment measures are in place. Biosecurity Tasmania is tracing the source and possible spread, and has urged growers to report any unusual symptoms. Read more HERE.

Missed the AusTreat Information Sessions?

If you were unable to attend the AusTreat Information Sessions on the 2025–2026 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) risk season, the department will be releasing the recorded session in due course.

Cargo Operations Snapshot

Note: It is recommended that members note the Data Definitions on page 3 when viewing the following report provided by DAFF.

18 August Report LOGIN REQUIRED

2025-2026 FTA Online CPD & CBC Training Packages

FTA offers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC) training online for the customs broker licencing period 1 April to 31 March each year. The cost of an online training package is $150 (excl. GST) for member organisations with bulk discounts available on a sliding scale.

Licensed customs brokers not employed by a corporate FTA member, can purchase an Individual Membership which includes online CPD & CBC training for the cost of only $300 (excl. GST) per customs broker licensing period. Please email Caroline at CZalai@FTAlliance.com.au if you wish to purchase a package.

FTA/APSA Certificate of Origin Service

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have partnered with TradeWindow to offer a discounted Certificate of Origin (COO) service, optimised to deliver speed, value, and reliability for members.

The digital COO platform is already trusted by a growing number of exporters and freight forwarders — particularly those handling perishable or time-sensitive shipments.

By extending this service to the national FTA and APSA membership, exporters and logistics providers will benefit from streamlined processing and significantly reduced turnaround times.

FTA and APSA members also receive an exclusive 10% discount - to access the service, register via the dedicated landing page available HERE.

Media Release available HERE

For further information, please contact us at support@FTAlliance.com.au

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC)

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC) brings together DAFF and industry representatives to address biosecurity issues impacting trade and logistics with the purpose to ensure effective biosecurity regulation without unnecessary trade barriers. FTA proudly represents the freight and trade sector on this vital committee.

The DCCC meets a minimum of three times per year with out-of-session meetings scheduled as necessary. In 2025, three meetings are scheduled for 3 April, 31 July and 27 November.

Following are the latest DCCC Meeting minutes, communiques and papers:

Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS):

AFAS is a bilateral arrangement between DAFF and participating overseas government agencies. AFAS manages the high biosecurity risk posed by ineffective treatments performed offshore.

Treatment providers registered and listed as approved is available on the List of treatment providers.
- Recent Reviews and/or Suspensions:
Nil recent reviews and/or suspensions

Notices:

- Exports:
14 August 2025 : DAFF - Million-dollar fine for attempting to bypass export controls
11 August 2025 : DAFF – IIAN 2025-45: Applications for the export of kiwifruit to Thailand in 2026
11 August 2025 : DAFF – IIAN 2025-44: Grain Exports – Implementation of protocol for wheat exports to Indonesia

To receive real-time automated notices direct from DAFF, please register HERE.

- Imports:

Members are encouraged to reference BICON, Australia's biosecurity import conditions database, for any specific commodity concerns or changes related to Import Industry Advice Notices.
BICON provides up-to-date Australian biosecurity import conditions to ensure compliance and avoid disruptions.

> Export Conditions via Micor:

Members are encouraged to regularly consult Micor (Manual of Importing Country Requirements) for the latest export requirements, certification details, and market access conditions for specific commodities.

Micor is DAFF's central resource for ensuring compliance with overseas import regulations—helping exporters stay informed, avoid delays, and maintain access to key markets.

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.

FTA / APSA Biosecurity Report 2025/32 - sponsored by WiseTech Academy