BMSB UPDATE 8 - onshore treament of FAK not permitted

As outlined in BMSB UPDATE 6 & BMSB UPDATE 7, Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and Department of Agriculture and Water Resources representatives met in Canberra last week adddresing Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) policy and operational matters. FTA has sent a follow up submission, forwarded details from members seeking advice on various scenarios and again engaged with departmental representatives today, Wednesday 15 August 2018.

Key discussion items are listed below: 

FAK ONSHORE TREATMENT

Existing policy remains meaning that onshore treatment of FAK containers will NOT be an option.

FTA continues to advocate for a change to allow onshore treatment at the container level, with underbond movement of seals intact containers to approved premises. The department accepts this from a biosecurity risk / policy perspective, however, claim that it is not a feasible option due to systems limitations and operational complexity. The only possible way of achieving this outcome would be to deviate resources from other essential activities.

FTA has shared the angst and frustration from members stating that any systems' changes and resources should have been prioritised after last BMSB season. The department stated that they will convene another meeting with peak industry representatives again this week to discuss options and to provide further data on the rationale for the current policy.  

TRANSHIPMENTS

Additional complexity exists whereby high risk BMSB consignments are transhipped from targeted origins, consolidated into FAK or FCX containers at non-BMSB targeted countries and imported to Australia. FTA has sent numerous scenarios to the department who will include responses on their "scenarios page" that will be added to the Frequently Asked Questions available at  Preparing to import during the BMSB Season.

SCENARIOS & ADVICE

Following today's engagement with the department, it is requested that ALL enquiries are sent direct to the central contact point at airandseacargo@agriculture.gov.au - we encourage members to keep FTA in the loop with CC on any correspondence to info@FTAlliance.com.au to allow for monitoring of emerging issues and departmental responses.

SESSIONS

The department has confirmed that they will host face-to-face forums next week in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane - FTA will disseminate further details once times and venues have been confirmed.

Departmental and FTA representatives will also be delivering a dedicated session on BMSB at our upcoming CPD - Border and Biosecurity Compliance Program events - these sessions will examine the season's initial implementation, compliance and operational matters. 

EARLY BIRD RATES APPLY

Brisbane – 12 September 2018
Sydney – 26 September 2018
Melbourne – 16 October 2018

Paul Zalai - FTA / APSA