|
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 in Biosecurity has been characterised by continued biosecurity policy refinement, international collaboration, industry preparedness initiatives, and ongoing digital modernisation of Australia's import and export systems.
A key international development was the outcome of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Focus Group on Sea Containers, which agreed not to pursue a mandatory global container cleanliness standard. Instead, members endorsed a suite of voluntary and collaborative measures aimed at reducing biosecurity risks while avoiding unnecessary regulatory burdens on international trade.
Domestically, DAFF continued to promote industry preparedness through its upcoming Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) webinar and the Biosecurity Business Pledge Australia initiative, encouraging businesses to strengthen biosecurity practices ahead of the 2026-27 BMSB risk season and National Biosecurity week.
The department also progressed its Export Assurance Reform program, outlining a new regulatory framework for "General Products" exports from 2027 onwards. The proposed changes have the potential to introduce new export licensing, permit and compliance obligations for exporters and freight forwarders, reinforcing the importance of industry engagement during the consultation phase.
Importantly, DAFF announced that Western Sydney International Airport has now been designated as a First Point of Entry, representing a significant enhancement to Australia's biosecurity and border processing capabilities ahead of the airport's future operations.
On the imports front, DAFF continued to refine BICON import pathways through several case updates affecting animal feed products, nursery stock, fresh produce, dairy products, and plant species assessments. The changes largely reflect administrative improvements, updated risk assessments, and new import pathways designed to maintain Australia's high biosecurity standards while supporting trade facilitation.
Export activity this week focused heavily on the successful migration of several commodity programs to the new Micor platform, including dairy, fish, eggs and plant exports. DAFF also released a new Meat Industry Advice Notice, reinforcing the department's ongoing transition towards modernised digital export systems.
System notifications included advice regarding a scheduled PEBS outage on 22-23 July and updates relating to previous Biosecurity Portal and multiple system disruptions. Industry participants are encouraged to plan lodgement and operational activities around scheduled maintenance windows to minimise disruption.
There were no new overseas treatment provider suspensions announced this week. However, industry should remain aware of DAFF's ongoing management arrangements for consignments affected by previous actions involving certain Indian fumigation providers.
We hope you enjoy this week's report.
Summary
BMSB Webinar and Biosecurity Business Pledge
DAFF is hosting a webinar on 23 July 2026 highlighting lessons from the 2026-26 brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) season and key preparation priorities ahead of the commencement of the 2026-27 BMSB risk season in September. The event, presented by DAFF's Caryn Scott, supports the Biosecurity Business Pledge Australia initiative, which encourages businesses to strengthen day to day biosecurity practices and demonstrate their commitments to protecting Australia's environment, agriculture and supply chains. Members are also encouraged to participate in National Biosecurity Week (24-30 August 2026), reinforcing the message that biosecurity is everyone's responsibility and an essential part of safeguarding Australia's economy and natural resources.
Read more HERE
New Global Measures - Avoidance of Sea Container Contamination
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Focus Group on Sea Containers has agreed not to pursue a new mandatory International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) for container cleanliness. This removes the immediate prospect of mandatory shipper declarations and compulsory container washing requirements that could have imposed significant compliance and operational burdens on international trade.
Instead, the group endorsed a range of collaborative and voluntary initiatives, including improved pest-resistant container design standards, a revised CTU Code, voluntary custodial responsibility arrangements, accredited shipper recognition schemes, and enhanced education and awareness programs.
These recommendations will be included in the Focus Group's final report for consideration by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) in April 2027. FTA/APSA, through ongoing engagement with the Global Shippers Forum (GSF), will continue o monitor developments and their implications for Australian trade and biosecurity practices.
Read more HERE
DAFF Export Assurance Reform
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is progressing reforms to Australia's export assurance framework that will bring several categories of currently non-prescribed goods under a new "General Products" regulatory regime from 2027 onwards. The reforms are expected to introduce export licence requirements, consignment based export permits and enhanced traceability obligations for goods including food and beverages, animal products, wool, honey and related commodities.
Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA/APSA) has highlighted potential implications for freight forwarders, particularly where they are named as the exporter on export documentation, which may result in additional compliance, permit and cost recovery obligations.
Members are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the proposed reforms and consider how the changes may affect their operations. DAFF's Export Assurance Reform webpage includes explanatory material, fact sheets, webinar recordings, updates and frequently asked questions.
FTA/APSA is engaging with DAFF through the Industry Reform Committee and is seeking member feedback to help shape the development and implementation of the new regulatory framework.
Please provide feedback to Sal Milici via email to smilici@FTAlliance.com.au
FTA/APSA will consolidate member feedback and raise identified operational concerns directly with DAFF.
Read more HERE
Compliance and Import Updates
No new treatment provider suspensions were announced this week. However, industry participants should continue to monitor previously issued advice relating to the management of in transit consignments treated by certain Indian fumigation providers and ensure treatment providers remain approved prior to shipment.
A significant operational development this week was DAFF's announcement that Western Sydney International Airport has been formally recognised as a First Point of Entry, further strengthening Australia's border and biosecurity infrastructure ahead of expanded international trade and passenger movements.
Read more HERE
System Notifications - Planned Outages
DAFF advised industry of a scheduled PEBS outage from 22-23 July 2026. The department also provided updates relating to previous Biosecurity Portal service disruptions. Industry participants should continue to monitor system notifications and plan lodgement activities around maintenance windows to minimise operational disruptions.
BICON Watch - Weekly Case updates
This week's BICON updates include the consolidation of stockfeed, stockfeed ingredients and stockfeed additives into the "Goods for animal consumption" case, supporting a more streamlined and risk based biosecurity framework without impacting existing import permits. DAFF also added Vaccinium stamineum to the list of prohibited weed species following a Weed Risk assessment and approved 13 Lecanopteris species for import under the medium risk nursery stock pathway, with importers required to update existing permits if importing these species.
Additional changes include updates to the Fresh Cucurbits for human consumption case to clarify existing import conditions for Japanese melons and restrictions relating to pumpkin fruit fly risk. DAFF also introduced new import permit pathways for certain foods for medical purposes containing dairy products sourced from countries not recognised as free from foot and mouth disease (FMD), with permits only available for department approved manufacturing facilities that have successfully undergone a biosecurity risk assessment.
Read more HERE
Export Industry Notices
Recent DAFF export notices highlight the rollout of the new Micor platform across plant, dairy, fish and egg export programs, marking a significant step in the modernisation of export certification and regulatory services. Industry participants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new system and any associated operational changes. DAFF also issued advice on NEXDOC certification printing arrangements and associated charges, reinforcing the importance of ensuring exporters and service providers understand updates certification processes and cost implications. Collectively these developments form part of DAFF's broader digital transformation agenda aimed at improving export compliance, service delivery and trade facilitation.
Read more HERE
|