| 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's Biosecurity Report highlights several important developments across compliance, market access, and industry forecasting. ABARES has released its Spring 2025 update, forecasting record agricultural production values and launching new initiatives to support industry resilience. On the trade front, India and Australia have formally implemented a mutual recognition arrangement on organics, expanding export opportunities for certified Australian products. In parallel, DAFF has opened consultation on proposed amendments to the Biosecurity (Conditionally Non-prohibited Goods) Determination 2021, aimed at modernising import conditions and streamlining regulatory requirements while safeguarding Australia's biosecurity.
We hope you enjoy this week's report.
Summary - Minimum Documentary and Import Declaration Requirements Policy - Partial Release Policy
FTA has recently assisted a member in escalating concerns over inconsistencies they were experiencing with the application of Minimum Document Requirement 6.4 (Partial Release Policy) during the current 2025–26 BMSB season.
DAFF Clarification on the Policy:
The Department reiterated that partial release is only possible when all lines are correctly linked to their respective containers at lodgement. Where this association is missing, the entire consignment may be held, even if some lines are impediment-free.
Biosecurity officers are not authorised to make these associations on behalf of customs brokers/importers, and once directions are applied, entries cannot be amended.
Impediment-free lines are technically outside biosecurity control; therefore, DAFF cannot issue directions to release them. In these cases, the decision to permit delivery rests with the Approved Arrangement (AA). Reference page 27, Minimum documentary and
import declaration requirements policy, Version 4.2 - HERE.
- Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) – Spring 2025 Update
ABARES forecasts a record $101.6 b Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry value for 2025-26, driven by strong livestock prices and a $94.7 b agriculture sector production value. The October–December rainfall outlook is above median for most regions, supporting winter crops, summer sowing, and restocking activity.
Horticulture is set to reach a record $19.2 b production value, with export values forecast to rise 8% to $4.7 b on strong demand from Asia. Farm debt rose 6% in 2023-24 to $131.4 b, with 5% of farms holding 52% of loans.
ABARES celebrated 80 years of operations and launched new initiatives including the AADI drought indicators system and the National Agricultural Land Management Survey (starting late October). Read more HERE.
- India–Australia Organics MRA Now in Effect
A mutual recognition arrangement (MRA) on organics equivalence between India and Australia took effect on 24 September 2025 (MAA 2025-04).
Under this MRA, Australian organic products certified to the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce — including unprocessed plant products (excluding seaweed, aquatic plants, and greenhouse crops), processed foods with plant-origin ingredients, and organic wine — may now be exported to India and sold as organic without separate certification to India's National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).
Products outside the scope include in-conversion goods, aquaculture, greenhouse crops, mushrooms, apiculture, and livestock products. Exporters and approved certifying bodies must: - Ensure consignments are accompanied by an Organic Goods Certificate (OGC).
- Confirm products fall within the MRA scope.
- Treat non-compliant products as conventional and apply sanctions as per the National Standard.
- Include the certifying body's logo on product labels for India.
Micor will be updated to reflect these changes. Queries can be directed to OrganicExports@aff.gov.au or ExportStandards@aff.gov.au. Read more HERE.
- Proposed Changes to the Biosecurity (Conditionally Non-prohibited Goods) Determination 2021
The Department has announced a public consultation on proposed amendments to the Biosecurity (Conditionally Non-prohibited Goods) Determination 2021. These updates are designed to ensure Australia's biosecurity settings continue to provide the Appropriate Level of Protection (ALOP) against pests and diseases, while streamlining regulatory requirements for importers where safe to do so. The review reflects DAFF's ongoing commitment to modernising import conditions and reducing unnecessary red tape for industry.
Key Points: - No-Permit Clarifications: Updates clarify that several goods (e.g., balsawood, bamboo packaging, treated elephant-dung paper, animal-derived glues <1kg/L, microalgae products, potable water samples, non-viable sipunculans, wood shavings) can be imported without permits if alternative conditions are met.
- Expanded Exemptions: Plant-based items (bamboo products, rattan, cork, sphagnum moss, etc.) and certain nuts (processed, raw, frozen chestnuts) exempt from permits when pest-free and compliant.
- New Ingredient Lists: Four consolidated lists for approved ingredients in retail-ready and bulk goods will replace existing tables and be published on DAFF's website.
- Commodity-Specific Updates: Clearer conditions for eggshells (excluding powders/grits), pinecones, freshwater crayfish, Chinese mitten crabs (cooked or frozen with certification), marine molluscs for pet food (allowing offshore irradiation), prawns (must be frozen/cooked), fish oil certificates, and NZ meat descriptions.
- Regulatory Streamlining: Reduced evidentiary requirements for personal-use dairy from NZ and simplified preservation conditions for animal material.
Consultation: Open from 29 September – 24 October 2025 via the Have Your Say forum. Feedback will inform the final version. |