| 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 The Department has updated its Contingency Plans for Livestock Consignments to the Middle East policy in response to the evolving security situation in the region, particularly around the Red Sea shipping corridor. Consultation on the 2026–27 Export Cost Recovery Implementation Statements (CRIS) for the dairy, seafood and egg sectors has been extended until 20 March 2026 as part of the transition to new export regulatory cost recovery arrangements commencing 1 July 2026.
DAFF has introduced interim arrangements to manage returned consignments of Australian chilled meat disrupted by Middle East air cargo route changes, prioritising inspection processes to facilitate timely clearance. The Department has published the DCCC Meeting 102 communiqué and minutes, providing updates on cargo targeting systems, the Highly Compliant Importer (HCI) scheme and risk profiling processes.
We hope you enjoy this week's report.
Summary - Updated Policy: Contingency Plans for Livestock Consignments to the Middle East
The Department has updated its Contingency Plans for Livestock Consignments to the Middle East policy, effective immediately, to reflect the evolving security situation in the region, particularly in and around the Red Sea. The policy applies to all livestock exporters preparing sea consignments destined for, or transiting through, the Middle East. Exporters submitting a Notice of Intention (NOI) through TRACE may be contacted by the department where upcoming consignments are impacted. The revised policy emphasises the importance of providing timely information to support NOI assessments and outlines circumstances where approval of an NOI may be revoked if required.
Under the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL), exporters must continue to provide written contingency plans for each consignment, outlining arrangements to safeguard livestock health and welfare during transport. The department will consider these plans alongside other information when assessing NOIs under the Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021. The department has noted that further updates may occur should the regional security situation escalate, and ad hoc requests for contingency planning may also be issued for livestock consignments exported to the Middle East by air. Read more HERE. - Export Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (CRIS) 2026–27 Consultation – Submission Deadline Extended
The Department has extended the public consultation period for the draft 2026–27 Export Cost Recovery Implementation Statements (CRIS) covering the dairy, seafood and egg export sectors, with submissions now closing 5:00pm AEDT on 20 March 2026. Updated draft CRIS documents have been released on the Department's Have Your Say platform, including revisions and errata for the dairy, fish and egg export arrangements. Industry participants are encouraged to review the updated documents and provide feedback on the proposed structure of fees and charges, the rationale for cost recovery, and potential impacts on businesses.
The consultation forms part of the Australian Government's transition to new export regulatory cost recovery arrangements commencing 1 July 2026, designed to ensure export regulatory services remain sustainably funded. The department will review stakeholder submissions and publish a summary of feedback alongside its responses in the final CRIS, which will guide the implementation of export regulatory fees and charges ahead of the transition toward full cost recovery by 2029–30. - Managing Returned Chilled Meat Consignments – Interim Arrangements
DAFF has introduced interim arrangements to manage returned consignments of Australian chilled meat, following disruptions to global air cargo routes linked to escalating conflict in the Middle East. Several consignments have reportedly been returned to Australia or diverted mid-flight, and are being treated as distressed consignments due to their highly perishable nature. The department is prioritising inspection processes to minimise commercial impacts and facilitate the timely clearance of these shipments.
Importers and customs brokers must lodge an import declaration in the Integrated Cargo System (ICS) for all returned consignments so that biosecurity directions can be issued through the Agriculture Import Management System (AIMS). Where consignments arrive without an intact Australian government seal, a biosecurity import permit will also be required.
Effective immediately, customs brokers and inspection booking agents must submit a Manual Request for Inspection (RFI) to the Client Contact Group with the subject line "Priority – Returned Chilled Meats". All consignments must undergo inspection at an approved arrangement or cargo terminal operator to verify seal integrity and ensure biosecurity and food safety risks are appropriately managed before goods can move back to export establishments for rework where applicable. Read more HERE. - DCCC Meeting 102 – Communiqué and Minutes Published
The Department has published the communiqué and minutes from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC) Meeting 102, providing industry with an overview of key biosecurity and cargo operational discussions between government and industry representatives.
The meeting covered a range of operational and policy matters impacting international cargo clearance. Updates included progress on the Simplified Targeting and Enhanced Processing System (STEPS) program and associated digital platforms, including enhancements to cargo reporting and compliance systems. The department also discussed the Highly Compliant Importer (HCI) scheme, ongoing compliance activities relating to Approved Arrangements, and broader system improvements designed to strengthen risk-based biosecurity controls.
Other topics included a review of postcode classifications used in sea container risk profiling, which may no longer reflect current urban development or emerging hitchhiker pest risks. The department indicated that industry consultation on potential updates is expected in early 2026.
The publication of the communiqué and meeting minutes provides additional insight into current departmental priorities, operational developments and areas of ongoing engagement with industry stakeholders. - Service Disruption to DAFF General Enquiries Line Resolved
FTA received several member enquiries yesterday regarding difficulties contacting the Department via the 1800 900 090 General Enquiries line. The matter was escalated to the Department.
DAFF has since confirmed via IIAN 41-2026 that a system issue caused call-routing disruptions on selected Departmental lines associated with the 1800 900 090 service, which affected some clients' ability to reach the Department on 9 March 2026. Services have now been restored. Read more HERE. - SBS Podcast – "Think Before You Pack: Australia's Customs and Biosecurity Rules Explained"
SBS has released a new episode in its Australia Explained podcast series highlighting Australia's strict customs and biosecurity requirements for travellers entering the country. The segment reinforces the importance of declaring food, plant material and other risk goods on arrival to protect Australia's agriculture and environment from pests and diseases.
During the episode, DAFF Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity and Compliance Group, Vikki Fischer, emphasised the importance of honesty at the border, noting that travellers should "always declare anything you're unsure about", as declaring items allows biosecurity officers to assess the risk and determine whether goods can be brought into Australia safely.
The SBS program provides a practical overview of what travellers can and cannot bring into Australia and highlights the role of biosecurity officers in protecting Australia's environment, agriculture and trade.
For industry, this podcast may also serve as a useful resource to share with new importers or prospective clients who may be unfamiliar with Australia's strict biosecurity framework and the importance of accurate declarations when moving goods across the border. Listen HERE. - AusAlert Emergency Warning System to Include Biosecurity Threats
The Australian Government is progressing the rollout of AusAlert, a new national emergency alert system designed to deliver high-priority warnings directly to smartphones for major incidents such as bushfires, floods, public safety events and biosecurity threats. The $132 million system will replace existing state-based SMS alert systems, with alerts appearing as a home-screen notification accompanied by a loud warning tone for the most serious events.
AusAlert will be capable of targeting alerts to specific geographic areas and is expected to reach up to 90% of smartphones in Australia. Trials will commence from June 2026, with a national test scheduled for 27 July 2026, ahead of full operational capability planned for October 2026.
While primarily designed for natural disasters, the system may also be used to warn communities of serious biosecurity threats, reinforcing the importance of rapid public communication in the event of disease outbreaks or pest incursions. This is particularly relevant as Australia continues to monitor emerging regional biosecurity risks, including diseases such as Lumpy Skin Disease in neighbouring Indonesia, highlighting the critical role of early warning and preparedness in protecting Australia's agricultural industries. Read more HERE.
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