FTA / APSA Biosecurity Report 2025/31 - sponsored by AIRWAY

Tuesday, August 12, 2025
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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:

  • New Biosecurity Treatment: Ethyl Formate for BMSB
    DAFF has announced that from Monday, 1 September 2025, ethyl formate (EF) in combination with carbon dioxide (CO2) will be introduced as a new biosecurity treatment for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) under the AusTreat offshore treatment assurance scheme. The new Ethyl Formate fumigation methodology (v1.0) outlines the minimum requirements for treating commodities and/or associated packaging for quarantine and pre-shipment purposes and has been developed in consultation with industry stakeholders, including through FTA's Biosecurity Treatment Provider Reference Group (BTPRG).
    Implementation will commence offshore for the 2025–26 BMSB risk season, with onshore use planned for 2026–27. Treatment providers must be AusTreat-registered, with schedules and documentation to be published before the September start. Virtual information sessions for AusTreat providers will be held in August 2025. Read more HERE.
  • Reminder - AusTreat BMSB Information Sessions Now Open 
    DAFF has launched industry information sessions for the 2025–26 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) season as part of its annual AusTreat initiative. These sessions will outline key updates for offshore pre-border treatment providers and related stakeholders ahead of the 2025–26 risk season.
    Topics to be covered include:
         > Methyl Bromide Fumigation Methodology v3.0
         > AusTreat registration requirements and approved treatments for BMSB
         > DAFF's compliance verification activities for 2025–26 and observations from the 2024–25 season
         > Treatment certificate lodgement portal updates and best practice tips
    Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions at the end of each session. 
    Session options:
         > Tuesday 12 August 2025 at 5:00pm AEST (9:00am CEST / 3:00pm SGT/CST/PHT)  Registrations closed
         > Thursday 14 August 2025 at 7:00am AEST (2:00pm PDT / 5:00pm EDT Wednesday 13 August)  Registrations closing soon
    Participants must register in advance to secure a place. These sessions are aimed primarily at offshore BMSB treatment providers, but Australian stakeholders may find the content relevant for operational readiness. Read more HERE.
  • BICON Update – Used Gas Cylinders
    DAFF has updated the BICON case for Gas Cylinders, changing onshore inspection outcomes for consignments that do not meet import conditions. Previously, non-compliant full container loads were sent for a tailgate inspection, but due to WHS restrictions on opening containers with dangerous goods, such consignments will now be directed for an Inspect (unpack) inspection. This change reflects the classification of gas cylinders as dangerous goods under the Australian Dangerous Goods Code and applies to importers, customs brokers, agents, and accredited persons operating under Approved Arrangement Class 19. Read more HERE.
  • Consultation – Amendments to Export Control Rules (Dairy & Tariff Rate Quotas)
    DAFF has opened public consultation on proposed amendments to the Export Control Rules 2021 affecting all three tariff rate quota rules: General, Feed Grain Export to Indonesia, and Sheepmeat & Goatmeat Export to the EU and UK. Key changes include reducing the India Cotton minimum allocation from 500 to 100 tonnes, and revising auditor reporting obligations so reports are only provided to the Secretary upon request. Consultation runs from Monday, 4 August to Friday, 29 August 2025 via DAFF's Have Your Say platform, with information sheets available for each rule. Read more HERE.
  • New Protocol for Wheat Exports to Indonesia
    DAFF has advised that from Friday, 15 August 2025, all wheat consignments from Australia to Indonesia must comply with a new export protocol and include an additional declaration. The protocol, agreed between Australia and Indonesia on 1 August 2025, requires wheat to be practically free of specified pests including granary weevil, ergot, red stalk rot, and bacterial leaf blight. Relevant Micor cases have been updated, and authorised officers must inspect consignments to ensure compliance. Exporters and registered establishments should review the protocol requirements, now available in the Micor Documents section. Read more HERE.
  • Applications Open – Kiwifruit Exports to Thailand (2026 Season)
    DAFF has opened applications for the accreditation of farms and packhouses, and registration of treatment facilities in Victoria and Queensland, for the export of kiwifruit to Thailand in the 2026 season under the market access protocol. Applications for accreditation must be submitted to the Audit and Assurance Branch by 5:00pm AEST Friday, 5 September 2025, with crop monitor training and assessments to be completed by Friday, 12 September 2025. Packhouses may also apply for the Packhouse Grower Supplier Model (PGSM), with all applications requiring complete and correct supporting documentation. Entities must meet all protocol requirements, comply with audit processes, and be approved for the specific country, commodity, and treatment combination. Read more HERE.

Cargo Operations Snapshot


Note: It is recommended that members note the Data Definitions on page 3 when viewing the following report provided by DAFF.

11 August Report  LOGIN REQUIRED
 

2025-2026 FTA Online CPD & CBC Training Packages


FTA offers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC) training online for the customs broker licencing period 1 April to 31 March each year. The cost of an online training package is $150 (excl. GST) for member organisations with bulk discounts available on a sliding scale.

Licensed customs brokers not employed by a corporate FTA member, can purchase an Individual Membership which includes online CPD & CBC training for the cost of only $300 (excl. GST) per customs broker licensing period. Please email Caroline at CZalai@FTAlliance.com.au if you wish to purchase a package.


FTA/APSA Certificate of Origin Service

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have partnered with TradeWindow to offer a discounted Certificate of Origin (COO) service, optimised to deliver speed, value, and reliability for members.

The digital COO platform is already trusted by a growing number of exporters and freight forwarders — particularly those handling perishable or time-sensitive shipments.

By extending this service to the national FTA and APSA membership, exporters and logistics providers will benefit from streamlined processing and significantly reduced turnaround times.

FTA and APSA members also receive an exclusive 10% discount - to access the service, register via the dedicated landing page available HERE.

Media Release available HERE

For further information, please contact us at support@FTAlliance.com.au



Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC)

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC) brings together DAFF and industry representatives to address biosecurity issues impacting trade and logistics with the purpose to ensure effective biosecurity regulation without unnecessary trade barriers. FTA proudly represents the freight and trade sector on this vital committee.

The DCCC meets a minimum of three times per year with out-of-session meetings scheduled as necessary. In 2025, three meetings are scheduled for 3 April, 31 July and 27 November. 

Following are the latest DCCC Meeting minutes, communiques and papers:
Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS):

AFAS is a bilateral arrangement between DAFF and participating overseas government agencies. AFAS manages the high biosecurity risk posed by ineffective treatments performed offshore.
Treatment providers registered and listed as approved is available on the List of treatment providers.
- Recent Reviews and/or Suspensions:
Nil recent reviews and/or suspensions

Notices:
- Exports:
11 August 2025 : DAFF - IAN 2025-45: Horticulture – Applications for the export of kiwifruit to Thailand in 2026
11 August 2025 : DAFF - IAN 2025-44: Grain Exports – Implementation of protocol for wheat exports to Indonesia
8 August 2025 : DAFF - IAN 2025-43: Plant Exports – Export systems maintenance
6 August 2025 : FTA / APSA Weekly Report 2025/31 - sponsored by ANA 
5 August 2025 : DAFF - IAN 2025-17: Dairy: Consultation on proposed amendments to Export Control Rules
To receive real-time automated notices direct from DAFF, please register HERE. 
- Imports:
Members are encouraged to reference BICON, Australia's biosecurity import conditions database, for any specific commodity concerns or changes related to Import Industry Advice Notices.
BICON provides up-to-date Australian biosecurity import conditions to ensure compliance and avoid disruptions.
> Export Conditions via Micor:
Members are encouraged to regularly consult Micor (Manual of Importing Country Requirements) for the latest export requirements, certification details, and market access conditions for specific commodities.
Micor is DAFF's central resource for ensuring compliance with overseas import regulations—helping exporters stay informed, avoid delays, and maintain access to key markets.


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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