| 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
Industry and regulatory activity remains elevated as 2026 begins, with significant developments across biosecurity governance, enforcement, export operations and global trade settings. FTA continues its role on the Sustainable Biosecurity Funding Advisory Panel, ensuring industry perspectives inform biosecurity funding and policy discussions, while the Government has reinforced its zero-tolerance stance on biosecurity non-compliance.
At the same time, DAFF has released new guidance and consultation material across plant and organic exports, clarified Approved Arrangement conditions, and global trade pressures continue to shift market access settings, most notably through China's introduction of safeguard measures on beef imports.
We hope you enjoy this week's report.
Summary - Industry Representation - Sustainable Biosecurity Funding Advisory Panel
FTA is pleased to continue its role on the Sustainable Biosecurity Funding Advisory Panel in 2026, once again representing industry perspectives in national discussions on Australia's biosecurity funding framework.
Our ongoing involvement reflects a continued commitment to advocating on behalf of industry and ensuring that the voices of those directly impacted by biosecurity funding decisions remain front and centre.
The Sustainable Biosecurity Funding Advisory Panel was established by the Australian Government to enhance transparency and accountability in how biosecurity funding is raised and applied, while providing affected stakeholders, including producers, importers and supply-chain participants, with a genuine opportunity to contribute to policy development.
The Panel meets regularly with the Department to share insights, discuss biosecurity priorities, review funding and expenditure data, and provide informed industry input into future biosecurity funding and policy settings. It operates as a consultative forum to guide and support the Department on funding arrangements, system sustainability and emerging biosecurity risks.
Through its continued involvement, FTA supports informed, practical discussions that help shape a robust and sustainable biosecurity system, protecting agricultural production, trade integrity and community wellbeing from pests, diseases and other biosecurity threats.
- Taking Strong Action in 2026 - Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
As we start a new year, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, has released a statement reinforcing the Albanese Government's zero-tolerance approach to biosecurity non-compliance, confirming continued strong enforcement across airports, seaports and international mail pathways in 2026.
In the statement, issued on 7 January 2026, the Minister highlighted that while Australia's biosecurity system is built on partnership and shared responsibility, serious penalties apply for breaches, including prosecution, imprisonment, visa cancellations and significant financial penalties.
Key highlights include: - Over $2 billion in additional biosecurity resourcing delivered since 2022.
- More than 280,000 commercial sea and air consignments inspected in 2025.
- Over 359,000 traveller interceptions at airports, with 64 tonnes of meat products seized.
- 40,000+ high-risk detections by biosecurity detector dogs, including significant interceptions within the international mail stream.
- Enforcement outcomes included fines exceeding $1 million for illegal export activity and custodial sentences for serious illegal importation offences.
The Government reiterated that under the Biosecurity Act 2015, individuals may face up to 10 years' imprisonment and fines of up to $1.6 million, while the Export Control Act 2020 enables strong sanctions against both individuals and corporate entities for unlawful export activity.
The message to industry remains clear: biosecurity compliance is critical to protecting Australia's agriculture, trade reputation and economy, and deliberate non-compliance will be met with strong consequences. Read the full statement HERE.
- Plant Exports - Jan–Apr 2026
The Department has released IAN 2026-01 outlining Request for Permit (RFP) assessment arrangements for horticulture exports from 12 January to 24 April 2026.
Standard service levels: - RFPs must be complete and compliant with the Export Control Act 2020.
- Air freight: within 1 business day
- Sea freight: within 3 business days
- DAFF advises 95%+ of RFPs are currently processed within these timeframes.
Fast-track trial (horticulture only): - Introduced to support time-critical exports where standard timeframes are insufficient.
- Operates Mon–Fri, 5:30am–5:30pm AEST (6:30am–6:30pm AEDT) from 12 Jan to 24 Apr 2026.
- Targets faster assessment than standard timeframes.
- Applies to most horticulture commodities (e.g. stone fruit, grapes, citrus, berries, avocados, vegetables); cherries excluded.
- Exporters must lodge the RFP as normal and email PlantExportsNDH@aff.gov.au requesting fast-track using the prescribed subject line and template.
- Early and accurate lodgement remains critical; fast-track does not guarantee approval.
Outside trial hours: - Booked overtime is required for assessments outside trial hours and must be requested by 2:00pm AEST the prior business day (additional charges apply).
- An urgent out-of-hours service is available during extended peak-period hours for consignments at risk of missing cut-off times (charges may apply).
DAFF is trialling expanded assessment capacity for peak horticulture exports. Industry should lodge RFPs early, complete and correct, and use the appropriate pathway (standard, fast-track or overtime) based on urgency. Read more HERE.
- Organic Exports - Consultation on National Standard changes
The Department has opened a public consultation on proposed amendments to the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce (Edition 3.8) under IAN 2026-01, with submissions open from 12 January to 11 February 2026.
What's being consulted on:
Seven applications from industry propose changes to the following areas: - Section 1.2 – Conversion of land
- Section 1.23 – Bee products
- Section 5 – Labelling and advertising
- Appendix H – Permitted food additives (including carriers)
- Appendix L – Permitted processing aids for livestock products
Feedback will be reviewed by the National Standard Advisory Committee (NSAC), which will recommend whether the proposed changes should be accepted (with or without amendments) or rejected. Organic operators and exporters, approved certifying bodies and industry stakeholders are encouraged to
Submissions must be made via DAFF's Have Your Say platform by 5:00pm AEDT, Wednesday 11 February 2026. Enquiries can be directed to OrganicExports@aff.gov.au. Read more HERE.
- Strengthening trust in Australia's Wine and Grape Sector
The Australian Government has announced the introduction of a mandatory Wine Grape Purchases Code of Conduct, commencing 1 January 2027, aimed at improving fairness, transparency and good-faith dealings between large winemakers and grape growers. The code will be finalised during 2026 following consultation with industry and responds to recommendations from an independent review led by Craig Emerson.
While not trade-operational, the reform signals a broader regulatory focus on contractual transparency, compliance culture and supply-chain governance in Australia's agricultural sectors. For exporters, clearer domestic trading arrangements can influence production planning, pricing certainty and long-term supply commitments. For customs brokers and logistics professionals, awareness is important as strengthened regulatory oversight at the production and contracting stage often flows through to greater scrutiny of export documentation, commercial arrangements and risk profiling across the supply chain. Read more HERE.
- China Beef Safeguard Measures
China has introduced new safeguard measures on beef imports from 1 January 2026, citing the need to protect its domestic cattle industry amid rising foreign supply.
Key measures: - Tariff: 55% duty on beef imports exceeding country-specific quota limits
- Global quota: 2.7 million tonnes for 2026 (compared to China's estimated 3.5–3.6 million tonnes of total beef imports in 2025)
- Australia's quota:
- 205,000 tonnes (2026)
- 209,000 tonnes (2027)
- 213,000 tonnes (2028)
- Duration: Three years from 1 January 2026, with quotas increasing annually
- Affected exporters: Australia, United States, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and others
The move highlights how global trade volatility is extending beyond US tariffs, with more countries deploying protective trade measures to shield domestic industries. While Australia continues to see strong global demand, the introduction of quotas is expected to constrain market access and increase commercial uncertainty for exporters shipping above quota thresholds.
- DAFF Clarification on Class 14.4 Approved Arrangement Use
FTA has sought clarification from DAFF following a member enquiry regarding the application of Class 14.4 Approved Arrangements (AA) after changes introduced in late 2024 and early 2025.
DAFF has confirmed that Class 14.4 may be utilised for all Rural Tailgates where the goods are: - not subject to biosecurity,
- released on documentation, or
- released following mandatory treatment (e.g. BMSB target risk goods).
DAFF further advised that where a CCV inspection is requested, this indicates that an inspection is required and nullifies the use of Class 14.4. If the CCV is subsequently cancelled by the CCV team (and the biosecurity direction has not already been closed), a Class 14.4 inspection may then proceed.
FTA will continue to support members by acting as a practical bridge between industry and the department, assisting customs brokers to navigate evolving biosecurity and operational requirements. Members requiring clarification or support are encouraged to contact the FTA team at support@ftalliance.com.au
We thank the DAFF senior executives for their engagement and timely clarification on this matter.
- Updates to MICoR Organics Country Pages
The Department has updated the MICoR organics country pages, including the addition of a new India page outlining the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for organics, which came into effect on 24 September 2025.
New organics pages have also been added for China, Korea and the United States. While formal government-to-government equivalence arrangements are not in place for these markets, they remain significant destinations for Australian organic exports.
The Department has advised that future additions to the MICoR organics pages will be prioritised based on industry demand and the recommendations of relevant government reviews.
For further information, exporters can contact the Food and Organics team, Export Standards Branch at ExportStandards@aff.gov.au.
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