BMSB & Biosecurity Import Levy - seeking member feedback

As members will recall, Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) escalated concerns to the Hon. David Littleproud, Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, in terms of the need for an Independent Review of Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) measures and the implementation of the Biosecurity Import Levy.
 
We greatly appreciate the Minister's response as highlighted in his foreword to the Autumn 2019 edition of Across Borders acknowledging our positive advocacy activities on both of the above issues – refer HERE.
 
The following is an update on both key issues.
 
BMSB Update 
 
FTA completed a comprehensive submission on to the Independent Review led by the Inspector General of Biosecurity – summary of recommendations and full submission is available HERE.
 
Based on advice from the Minister's office yesterday (11 April 2019), we anticipate that the Independent Review's findings will be made public by early May 2019. Bearing in mind that the Federal government is now in "caretaker" mode with an election announced for 18 May 2019, we do not anticipate implementation of any significant reforms until a new government is formed.
 
To the credit of the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, while waiting on details of the Independent Review, they have taken the initiative to proceed with planning for the 2019/20 BMSB season and have completed a national series of information sessions – revised Fact Sheet from the forums is now available HERE.
 
NOTE:  FTA will post the formal presentation notes and associated webinar recording as soon as they are provided by the department at www.FTAlliance.com.au – in the interim, please refer to a PDF copy of a presentation delivered by the department to FTA members at our CPD & CBC – Border and Biosecurity Compliance Program held in Sydney on 9 April 2019 – available HERE.  
 
Of significant importance are the following two issues:
 

• FAK / LCL - as per our advocacy last year, FTA has again raised concerns in terms of the department's proposal to mandate offshore treatment of target high risk goods shipped in FAK containers. Operational practicalities necessitate onshore treatment options. While it is understood that the department would not allow FAK containers to be deconsolidated with treatment at a LCL consignment level, options should remain to treat at a container level as per FCL.

• Safeguarding arrangements – we are encouraged by the department's willingness to develop policies to allow for certain goods and supply chains to be recognised under safeguarding arrangements for the 2019/20 season.

 
FTA will join other members of the Department of Agriculture Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC) at two separate consultative forums discussing these matter on Wednesday 17 April 2019. To contribute to this process, please share views to Andrew Crawford at acrawford@FTAlliance.com.au by Tuesday 16 April 2019.
 
Biosecurity Import Levy
 
I will be again joining fellow members of the Biosecurity Levy Steering Committee on Tuesday 16 April to discuss responses to date to the Discussion Paper – refer HERE.
 
The Discussion Paper summarises developments since the 2018 Budget and seeks input from potentially affected stakeholders on the impacts, advantages and disadvantages of differing levy collection options.
 
A number of questions are posed in the paper to assist interested parties in their responses. Some early thinking of the Steering Committee is also provided.
 
While submissions are officially invited prior to Easter (18 April 2019) tobilreview@yahoo.com, FTA members are also more than welcome to share feedback direct to me at pzalai@FTAlliance.com.au, ideally by Monday 15 April 2019.
 
For further background and details of the deferred 1 September 2019 implementation date, please refer HERE
 
Paul Zalai – FTA / APSA