| 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's updates reinforce the importance of strong biosecurity and compliance. The Department confirmed that BMSB measures for Sea/Air hybrid shipments. ABC's report on the polyphagous shot-hole borer highlights the need for prevention, with over 3,000 pests already managed nationally. DAFF has added Ethyl Formate (EF) as a new offshore BMSB treatment under AusTreat, and members are encouraged to complete the BICON System User Survey to help improve this critical platform.
We hope you enjoy this week's report.
Summary
- BMSB Measures – Intermodal Shipments (Air-to-Sea Pathways)
This week, FTA was involved in an interesting discussion with the Department on the application of BMSB seasonal measures to intermodal shipments that start as air freight but enter Australia as sea cargo. A member queried whether a Europe–Hong Kong–Australia air-to-sea consignment could be exempt from fumigation, given that the goods leave Europe by air.
The Department confirmed that there is no single, blanket rule for intermodal shipments. Import conditions are always determined by the relevant BICON case. For BMSB, measures apply only to goods arriving as sea cargo, not air freight, reflecting scientific evidence and inspection data showing significantly higher detections in sea freight, which provides ideal sheltering conditions for BMSB.
Once goods arrive via sea freight, they are captured under the BMSB seasonal measures—regardless of whether they initially departed by air. Air freight pathways remain subject to random inspections but are not covered by mandatory BMSB controls.
The Department also noted that risk profiling is conducted based on both commodity and non-commodity risk concerns, with the mode of arrival considered as part of this assessment (e.g. bulk fertiliser vs. containerised fertiliser may require different interventions). Additional risk layers may be applied, taking into account factors such as historical compliance and emerging threats.
Commodity risk profiles are managed through the ICS, and pathway risk assessments can only be completed once a lodgement exists in the system. Importantly, this advice relates to commodities under sea cargo policy oversight and does not extend to other areas such as imported food, fresh produce, live animals, or biologicals—members should seek advice from the relevant policy areas for those commodities.
- Imported Invasive Species – A Growing Threat
This week's ABC News feature on the polyphagous shot-hole borer—a tiny beetle now firmly established in Perth—serves as a timely reminder of the risks posed by invasive species entering through global trade. The beetle, only the size of a sesame seed, has destroyed thousands of iconic WA trees and shifted government strategy from eradication to long-term management.
While confronting, the shot-hole borer is considered a mild example compared to the wider spectrum of pests Australia is battling. Our biosecurity system is currently managing over 3,000 invasive pests and diseases, ranging from crop and forest pathogens to high-risk hitchhiker pests like the brown marmorated stink bug. Each arrival carries the potential to impact trade, agriculture, the environment, and even community amenity.
The key lesson is clear: once an invasive species is established, eradication becomes near impossible. Prevention, vigilance, and strong import controls remain Australia's first and best line of defence.
- New BMSB Treatment Option – Ethyl Formate (EF)
DAFF has announced the introduction of Ethyl Formate (EF) with Carbon Dioxide (CO2) as a newly available BMSB treatment under AusTreat, effective 1 September 2025.
Implementation: EF will initially be used offshore as a pre-arrival treatment during the 2025–26 BMSB season, with onshore application planned for 2026–27.
Application: Seasonal measures remain in place for target risk goods shipped between 1 September – 30 April, as well as vessels that berth, load or tranship from target risk countries. EF is not suitable for timber or perishables.
Registration & Documentation: Pre-border treatment providers must be AusTreat-registered and approved to conduct EF treatments. Methodologies, documentation templates, and treatment rates are now available on the department's website.
WHS Controls: Offshore EF-treated consignments requiring inspection will need seals intact, supervised unpack, and tailgate inspection. Industry must arrange a third-party EF operator to monitor treatments during inspections, in line with procedures used for Sulfuryl Fluoride. Read more HERE.
- Call for Feedback – BICON System User Survey
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is inviting industry feedback on the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) – the critical database that sets import and food safety conditions for over 20,000 goods.
BICON is a core tool for determining biosecurity requirements, and this survey gives industry a chance to highlight what works well and where improvements are needed. Input from members can directly shape potential upgrades to make BICON more efficient, reliable, and user-friendly.
Survey closes 5:00pm (AEST) Friday 24 October 2025.
Access the survey HERE.
We strongly encourage all members who use BICON to participate – the more feedback provided, the greater the likelihood of meaningful enhancements that benefit the trade and logistics sector.
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