FTA / APSA Biosecurity Report 12 010425 - sponsored by Fume West

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's Summary

Here are the key developments for this week:

• Update to the Sea Container Hygiene System (SCHS) Assessment and Management Policy and how actionable snail detections are managed:
  Effective 1 April 2025, DAFF has updated the Sea Container Hygiene System (SCHS) Assessment and Management Policy, introducing stricter onshore controls for actionable snail detections—treating all such detections under the same regime as giant African snails, including reactive intervention and assurance periods. This affects stakeholders handling CAL goods via SCHS, such as customs brokers, importers, and shipping lines, though no changes are required for recognised SCHS facility processes. Read more HERE.

• Expansion of Compliance-Based Intervention Scheme (CBIS) onto multiple import pathways for human therapeutics and medicines: 
  Effective 7 April 2025, the Compliance-Based Intervention Scheme (CBIS) will expand to cover additional import pathways under tariffs 3002.12 and 3002.15 for Australian registered human therapeutics, clinical trial medicines, and certain human-derived materials. Importers and brokers of these goods may benefit from reduced biosecurity document assessments if they consistently comply with Australia's import conditions. Read more HERE. 

• Changes to the management of powdered plant products under Compliance-Based Intervention Scheme (CBIS): 
  Effective 3 April 2025, DAFF is removing the AQIS commodity code "POWD" for powdered plant products under CBIS and introducing new profile questions to better determine eligibility. This includes lower inspection rates due to improved compliance and preparations for expanding document-controlled pathways, especially for products under 500g in retail packaging. Read more HERE.

• New BICON Case: Military Goods
  DAFF has released a new BICON case, Goods for military use, to help customs brokers and importers understand import requirements for military-related cargo. This applies to goods like vehicles, aircraft, working dogs, and personal equipment intended for military or exhibition use. The case provides a single source of import conditions to support clearance processes. Read more HERE.

• Information Session: Methyl Bromide v3.0 & Biosecurity Treatments
  FTA's BTPRG has worked closely with DAFF on updates to the Methyl Bromide Fumigation Methodology, set to take effect from 1 May 2025. DAFF is inviting stakeholders across the shipping and logistics supply chain to attend information sessions outlining major updates to biosecurity treatments, including the release of Methyl Bromide Fumigation Methodology v3.0 (effective 1 May 2025). Sessions will also cover changes to Approved Arrangement classes, new fumigation technologies, and policy reviews on Ethyl Formate and Sulfuryl Fluoride. Events will be held in-person and online across five capital cities between 8–17 April 2025. Read more HERE.

• DAFF Reminder: Use of Approved Arrangement Class 19.2 – Rice for Human Consumption
  DAFF has issued an important reminder for those assessing rice consignments under Approved Arrangement Class 19.2 – Rice for Human Consumption. Only specific rice types and pathways fall within scope, and failure to comply may result in clearance delays.
  Important points to remember:
  Please ensure that all documentation relating to the consignment is presented to the biosecurity officer at the time of inspection, as stipulated on the inspection direction. This includes invoice, packing declaration, bill of lading, and phytosanitary certificates (where applicable). If documentation is not presented at the time of inspection, this may result in delays in clearance of the goods.
  In order to use approved arrangement class 19.2, consignments must be one of the following in scope pathways:
  a. Oryza (white rice) where the outer hull has been completely removed; packed in bags less than or equal to 25 kilograms; imported as FCL cargo only; OR
  b. Parboiled rice; packed in bags less than or equal to 25 kilograms; imported as FCL cargo only.
  All other rice varieties/pathways are out of scope for approved arrangement class 19.2, which includes:
  • Coloured rice (e.g. brown, black, purple);
  • Rice treated under controlled atmosphere to address khapra beetle risk; and
  • Any rice subject to import permit conditions.
  For questions relating to rice imports and BICON cases: Imports@aff.gov.au

• FTA 2025 Events Program: 
  FTA is looking forward to hosting two key industry events in 2025 - our 2025/26 FTA CPD Border Compliance Program and the 2025 FTA Section 77G & Approved Arrangement Forum. The 2025/26 CPD Border Compliance Program will feature expert speakers from government and industry, delivering critical updates on regulatory and operational developments. Sessions will be held in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane, with early bird rates available for members. Additionally, the Section 77G & Approved Arrangement Forums will provide essential insights for industry stakeholders, including updates from senior DAFF officials on biosecurity compliance and enforcement. These forums are a must-attend for those managing regulated cargo facilities. REGISTER NOW

Cargo Operations Snapshot

Methyl Bromide v3.0 and Other Biosecurity Treatments

Over the last two years, the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Biosecurity Treatment Providers Reference Group (BTPRG) has actively engaged with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF) providing operational feedback on version 3.0 of the Methyl Bromide Fumigation Methodology (commencing 1 May 2025).
DAFF will be presenting these changes and other biosecurity treatment updates at the following events:

MELBOURNE 
8 April 2025, 1:00PM-4:00PM AEST - Methyl Bromide and other biosecurity treatment updates – Information Session
Book Tickets

BRISBANE 
10 April 2025, 1:00PM-4:00PM AEST - Methyl Bromide and other biosecurity treatment updates – Information Session
Book Tickets

PERTH 
15 April 2025, 1:00PM-4:00PM AWST - Methyl Bromide and other biosecurity treatment updates – Information Session
Book Tickets

ADELAIDE
16 April 2025, 1:00PM-4:00PM ACST - Methyl Bromide and other biosecurity treatment updates – Information Session
Book Tickets

SYDNEY
17 April 2025, 1:00PM-4:00PM AEST - Methyl Bromide and other biosecurity treatment updates – Information Session
Book Tickets

IMPORTANT NOTE :  these sessions are separate to the FTA hosted Regulated Cargo Facility Forums (77G Depots, Approved Arrangements & RACA Operators) that will examine in more detail DAFF compliance measures and broader operational considerations - program and registration details for the FTA sessions are below.

2025-2026 FTA CPD Border Compliance Program Launch

• Meeting 99 2024 – Communique
• Meeting 99 2024 – FNL Minutes 

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.

Tom Jensen - General Manager Freight Policy & Operations - FTA / APSA

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