BMSB UPDATE 17 - feedback from DCCC meeting

Thursday, October 11, 2018

As outlined in BMSB Update 16, Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) representatives participated in a Department of Agriculture Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC) teleconference yesterday (10 October 2018) which primarily focussed on BMSB operational matters as follows: 

Treatment providers
 

  • The department advised that there are over 110 overseas companies on the approved provider list – a third of which can offer Sulfuryl Fluoride treatment

  • Those companies have issued over 5000 treatment certificates.

  • There are more currently under assessment.

  • The department advised that currently there are no Sulfuryl Fluoride treatment providers in Australia, however there are 5 applications under review.

 
Automation and Enhancements

The department has been trailing software that will automatically:

  • Upload Master Consolidator information

  • Upload Fumigation certificates against Master Consolidation

  • Generate AIMS Directions

  • Generate Lists for Stevedores

  • Activate LCL profile – the department advised that once an FAK FCL has been treated according to the requirements, the system will generate release directions for any LCL entry holds as long as there are no other impediments/issues.

 
Processing Times

FTA on a number of instance has raise the problematic current processing times, apparent lack of resources and lack of transparency afforded to Industry. The Department re-iterated the following:

  • Volumes are up 30% on this time last year.

  • Early Lodgement is recommended

  • The use of the AEP system is encouraged to get traffic out of COLS

  • All non-essential tasks within the Department are on hold to allow more officers to front line duties

  • Overseas treatments are paramount to assist in easing the problem

  • Overtime, additional resources including retired officers returning are all work in progress to provide additional resources

  • The Departments ability to accurately manage and monitor processing times is under review. It appears that currently the data provided is inaccurate due to re-assessments and priority queuing

  • IT System enhancements are currently underway to improve efficiencies

 
FTA suggested that there be more transparency around the department's new 'Highly Compliant Importers Project' with the view of adding more regular importers to the list to alleviate the amount of unnecessary entries being lodged in COLS
 
Emerging Countries

They currently fall into the following Categories (Excluding Target Risk Countries)

  • European

  • All other Countries

 
FTA understands that random inspections are low, further we have been provided additional information around multiple containers on a shipment. In these cases, 1 container will be inspected and any other containers can move seals intact to the importers premises pending the outcome of the first container inspection. Containers must be held pending inspection. If infestation is detected, then all seals intact containers will need to be returned.
 
Plastic Wrap Declarations

On 8 October 2018, the following was provided to industry via the FAQ section on the department's web site:
 
"What are the plastic wrapping requirements for BMSB target risk goods?
Retail packaging is not required to be removed or slashed prior to treatment. For goods that are packaged for protection and this packing is part of the retail packaging, these do not require to be removed or slashed prior to treatment. Packaging for shipment purposes, such as pallet wrapping, must provide adequate access to the goods for the treatment to be effective. If it does not, slashing of the shipping packaging will be required prior to treatment."
 

  • FTA expressed serious concerns that this advice, approximately 6 weeks into the season, was untenable and will put enormous strain on the current supply chain and facilities for all members.

  • The fact that a multitude of FAK containers have moved already sets double standards and we are now being inundated by members who are reliant on the master consolidators treatment certificate.

  • They are now being directed to re-fumigate if there plastic wrap declaration does not appear on that certificate yet the containers have moved and have been deconsolidated!

  • The department argues that this has always been a  requirement for offshore treatment providers to provide information around "plastic wrapping" prior to fumigation and intend to enforce this requirement. (The Department advised their sample templates include the options around acceptable plastic wrap declarations)

  • FTA recommends that members ensure that their Master Consolidator and overseas treatment providers address this requirment as a matter of urgency.

  • The department will be issuing IAN notices on some of the items we have highlighted above, we strongly suggest all members continue to monitor the department's website on a daily basis with special reference to the Update Alert shown at the top of the Web Page in RED for specific changes

BIOSECURITY INFORMATION SESSION

Departmental and FTA representatives will also be delivering a dedicated 90 minute session on BMSB and other Biosecurity reforms at our upcoming CPD - Border and Biosecurity Compliance Program event in Melbourne on 16 October 2018.

Andrew Crawford - FTA / APSA