Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) representatives engaged with executives from the Department of Agriculture on Wednesday 3 July 2019 in terms of 2019 / 2020 Brown marmorated stink bug seasonal measures.

FTA acknowledged the exceptional work completed by the department in disseminating the BMSB policy for the 2019/20 season in a timely manner - refer HERE.

While industry (local and overseas) will also be all the wiser after last year's efforts, FTA expressed the following primary concerns:

Systems implementation – enhance AIMS / S-cargo for BMSB and additional automation – essential before commencement of next season to support the assessment group – we understand that considerable progress is being implemented and a likely phased introduction of solutions.
Inspections – major ongoing problem in delays and no transparency on service levels – needs urgent attention – the department is increasing recruitment and improving systems with a commitment to closely engage with industry on reforms / transparency of service times.
LCL / FAK – to the credit of the department they are implementing flexible options and engaging direct with master consolidators – we will work the department to best communicate processes.
Safeguarding Arrangements – needs an urgent ramp up and necessary rigour to minimise biosecurity risk – initial pilot commencing (stay tuned for more detail), limited scale for this coming season with escalation in years to come.
Departmental resources – FTA expressed a commitment to support an increase in cost recovery to provide the essential extra departmental resources and systems' enhancements – this is aligned to the Inspector-General Biosecurity'srecommendation of increasing cost recovered resources above and beyond existing cap.
AEPCOMM – the department expressed serious concerns about the low level of industry utilisation - an agreement to work collaboratively to increase uptake to speed up processing and reduce burden on entry processing resources.

AEPCOMM

In response and in terms of AEPCOMM, FTA has today received the following documents:

Assessment Policy and Projects Automatic Entry Processing (AEP) Report
AEPCOMM lodgements for BMSB compared with total in scope lodgements

How to become approved for AEPCOMM

Importers and licensed customs brokers wishing to obtain their 19.1 NCCC & 19.2 AEPCOMM Approved Arrangement must complete the prescribed unit of competency "Comply with Biosecurity Border Clearance - TLIX5054".

Note:

This unit of competency is available through the Australian College of International Freight (RTO No. 40712) and can be completed via e-Learning with online assessment and certification – cost is $330 (incl GST) further details are available HERE

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has a third party agreement with the Australian College of International Freight (ACIF) which is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO No. 40712).

Maintaining AEPCOMM approved arrangements

For those already accredited, you must maintain your Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC) compliance - details HERE.

FURTHER DETAIL

FTA will continue to keep members at the cutting edge on developments - stay tuned for more details about upcoming information sessions to be delivered by FTA (initial forum scheduled for WA – refer HERE).

Paul Zalai - FTA / APSA

BMSB - EXECUTIVE BRIEF

Systems implementation – enhance AIMS / S-cargo for BMSB and additional automation – essential before commencement of next season to support the assessment group – we understand that considerable progress is being implemented and a likely phased introduction of solutions.

Inspections – major ongoing problem in delays and no transparency on service levels – needs urgent attention – the department is increasing recruitment and improving systems with a commitment to closely engage with industry on reforms / transparency of service times.

LCL / FAK – to the credit of the department they are implementing flexible options and engaging direct with master consolidators – we will work the department to best communicate processes.

Safeguarding Arrangements – needs an urgent ramp up and necessary rigour to minimise biosecurity risk – initial pilot commencing (stay tuned for more detail), limited scale for this coming season with escalation in years to come.

AEPCOMM – the department expressed serious concerns about the low level of industry utilisation - an agreement to work collaboratively to increase uptake to speed up processing and reduce burden on entry processing resources.

AEPCOMM

FURTHER DETAIL

FTA will continue to keep members at the cutting edge on developments - stay tuned for more details about upcoming information sessions to be delivered by FTA (initial forum scheduled for WA – refer HERE).

Paul Zalai - FTA / APSA

BMSB - EXECUTIVE BRIEF

Systems implementation – enhance AIMS / S-cargo for BMSB and additional automation – essential before commencement of next season to support the assessment group – we understand that considerable progress is being implemented and a likely phased introduction of solutions.

Inspections – major ongoing problem in delays and no transparency on service levels – needs urgent attention – the department is increasing recruitment and improving systems with a commitment to closely engage with industry on reforms / transparency of service times.

LCL / FAK – to the credit of the department they are implementing flexible options and engaging direct with master consolidators – we will work the department to best communicate processes.

Safeguarding Arrangements – needs an urgent ramp up and necessary rigour to minimise biosecurity risk – initial pilot commencing (stay tuned for more detail), limited scale for this coming season with escalation in years to come.

AEPCOMM – the department expressed serious concerns about the low level of industry utilisation - an agreement to work collaboratively to increase uptake to speed up processing and reduce burden on entry processing resources.

AEPCOMM

FURTHER DETAIL

FTA will continue to keep members at the cutting edge on developments - stay tuned for more details about upcoming information sessions to be delivered by FTA (initial forum scheduled for WA – refer HERE).Paul Zalai - FTA / APSA

FTA will continue to keep members at the cutting edge on developments - stay tuned for more details about upcoming information sessions to be delivered by FTA (initial forum scheduled for WA – refer HERE).

Paul Zalai - FTA / APSA