FTA / APSA Biosecurity Report - 34 25/08/2026 Sponsored by Intermodal Terminal Company

Dear *|FNAME|*

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 was relatively quiet from a policy perspective, with minimal Import Industry Advice Notices (IIANs) issued by DAFF. However, several important developments emerged through BICON case updates, reinforcing the department's continued focus on balancing streamlined trade with effective biosecurity risk management. Key changes included the expansion of the Compliance-Based Intervention Scheme (CBIS), updates to commodity-specific import requirements, and renewed attention on recognising and rewarding strong compliance performance across Australia's import supply chain.

DAFF also issued an IIAN reminding industry the expectations of 'reasonable assistance' from industry participants during imported goods inspections. The notice provides greater certainty for industry and supports more efficient inspection processes, helping reduce delays, administrative burden, and costs for both industry and DAFF.

A significant highlight was the announcement that three additional commodities will become eligible for CBIS from 26 August 2026, including offshore treated fresh garlic, ready to eat pomegranate arils from India, and retail ready bagged bulgur wheat. These additions further expand opportunities for compliant importers to benefit from reduced interventions and more efficient clearance pathways, reflecting DAFF's ongoing shift toward risk based and intelligence led border management.

The department also shone a spotlight on the Highly Compliant Importer (HCI) Scheme, a key initiative under the National Biosecurity Strategy Action Plan. Designed to reward importers with strong compliance histories, the scheme provides benefits such as reduced inspection rates, faster clearance times and lower associated costs, while encouraging a culture of shared responsibility across the supply chain. Together, CBIS and HCI continue to demonstrate the department's commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while maintaining Australia's strong biosecurity safeguards.

Export remained limited during the reporting period, with the primary update being new European Union packaging requirements for fish and fish products. Exporters supplying seafood to EU markets should ensure packaging, labelling and certification processes align with the revised requirements to avoid potential disruptions to market access.

This week's BICON Watch featured several notable case amendments. In addition to the CBIS expansion, DAFF updated import conditions for Myrtaceae seed for sowing by recognising Corymbia citrodora as the accepted scientific name for Eucalyptus citriodora. Revised certification and testing requirements were also introduced for bivalve molluscs and mollusc products imported from the United States, strengthening regulatory oversight for these higher risk pathways.

Beyond trade and compliance developments, Australia marked the commencement of National Biosecurity Week (24-30 August ). This year's campaign highlights the people, partnerships and expertise that underpin one of the world's strongest biosecurity systems. Through a special video featuring DAFF's three biosecurity chefs, the department reinforced the message that biosecurity is a shared responsibility, with early detection, reporting and collaboration continuing to play a critical role in protecting Australia's agricultural industries, environment, economy and way of life.

Adding to biosecurity monitoring efforts, Australia confirmed its first detection of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) in a mammal, following testing of a long nosed fur seal found at Beachport, South Australia. While the development is concerning, authorities have indicated it is not unexpected given the widespread presence of H5 in wild bird populations internationally. Importantly, there continue to be no detections in poultry or Australia's agricultural production systems, and the risk to human health remains low. The detection serves as a timely reminder of the importance of ongoing surveillance, reporting and preparedness activities across Australia's biosecurity network.

Industry participants were also advised of several planned outages and maintenance activities affecting BICON,AIMS and departmental messaging services throughout the week. Businesses are encouraged to continue monitoring system notifications and scheduling lodgements, inspections and permit applications accordingly to minimise operational disruptions.

As National Biosecurity Week reminds us, biosecurity extends far beyond border inspections and regulatory controls. Whether through compliance excellence, accurate documentation, early reporting of unusual pests and diseases, or participation in trusted trader programs such as CBIS and HCI, every stakeholder plays an important role in protecting Australia's unique environment, agricultural industries and market access opportunities.

We hope you enjoy this week's report.
 

Summary

Import Updates

Import activity remained relatively quiet during the week, with limited new regulatory activity from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). However, DAFF did issue IIAN 149-2026, providing clarification on the expectations of 'reasonable assistance" from industry participants during imported goods inspections. The notice aims to improve consistency during inspection activities and provides additional guidance on the responsibilities of importers, brokers, and logistics providers when facilitating biosecurity inspections.

The key import developments this week were reflected through BICON case updates rather than new import notices, including the expansion of CBIS eligible commodity pathways and amendments to several commodity specific import conditions. Importers should review the latest BICON updates to ensure ongoing compliance with revised requirements and operational arrangements.

Export Updates

Export activity remained limited during the reporting period, with the primary development being Market Access Advice (MAA 2026-07) outlining new packaging requirements for fish and fish products to the European Union.

Exporters supplying seafood products to EU markets should review the updated packaging requirements and ensure packaging, labelling and certification processes remain compliant with the revised conditions to avoid disruptions to market access.

DAFF also released IAN 26-20, seeking industry feedback on the review of the Export Control (Tariff Rate Quotas - Sheepmeat and goatmeat Export to the European Union and United Kingdon) Rules 2021. Stakeholders involved in quota managed sheepmeat and goatmeat exports to the EU and UK are encouraged to review the consultation and provide feedback.

System Notifications - Planned Outages

DAFF issued a number of system notices during the week covering scheduled maintenance, urgent outages and service restoration updates across several departmental platforms.

Notifications included outages and maintenance activities affecting BICON,AIMS and DAFF messaging services, together with broader maintenance windows impacting multiple systems between 24 and 26 August. AIMS services were subsequently restored following an outage on 23 August.

Industry participants should continue to monitor system notices closely and plan lodgements, permit applications, inspections and cargo processing activities around scheduled outage periods to minimise operational disruptions.

BICON Watch - Weekly Case updates 

This week's BICON updates focused on expanding compliance-based processing arrangements and refining import conditions across a number of commodity pathways.

The most significant development was the confirmation that three additional commodities will be added to the Compliance-Based Intervention Scheme (CBIS) from 26 August 2026.

•  Fresh whole garlic for human consumption (offshore treated) from all countries
•  Fresh or chilled ready-to-eat pomegranate arils from India
•  Retail-ready bagged bulgur wheat (parboiled) from all countries

Cargo Operations Snapshot

2026-2027 FTA Online CPD Training Packages

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

• Meeting 103 2026 – Communique
• Meeting 103 2026 – Minutes

Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS):

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.

Lucy Robinson - Licensed Customs Broker
Head of Border, Biosecurity & Logistics - FTA / APSA

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