DAFF - FTA/APSA Biosecurity Report 35 - 01/09/2026 Sponsored by YOJEE

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 marked by the commencement of the 2026-27 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Risk Season, alongside several important BICON updates aimed at strengthening import controls and supporting effective biosecurity risk management. While the volume of formal notices remained relatively low, the changes introduced will have practical implications for importers, exporters and customs brokers in the weeks ahead.

A key development was the implementation of seasonal BMSB measures from 1 September 2026, applying to target risk and target high-risk goods arriving from identified risk countries. Supporting these arrangements, DAFF also approved Ethyl Formate as an additional onshore treatment option, providing industry with greater flexibility in meeting treatment requirements while maintaining compliance with Australia's biosecurity framework.

DAFF also released the final pest risk analysis report for Khapra Beetle (Trogoderma granarium) - Part 1, covering plant product pathways. The report provides further insight into one of the world's most significant stored grain pests and outlines the department's approach to managing associated biosecurity risks.

This week's BICON Watch focused on enhanced biosecurity assurance through tighter import controls and documentation requirements. Most notably, all fresh citrus fruit imported from Egypt will require an import permit from 11 September 2026, while new documentation requirements have been introduced across a range of restricted seed for sowing pathways to improve species verification and reduce clearance delays. Updates were also made to the BICON Water case, broadening the scope of goods captured under the pathway and providing greater clarity for importers.

Export activity was dominated by a series of European Union certification updates affecting honey and edible apiculture products, fish and fish products, and milk and milk products. New health certificates came into effect from 30 August 2026 in response to EU antimicrobial requirements. Additional updates included revised certificate requirements for certain low risk edible products containing meat entering Canada and updated performance standards for authorised officers undertaking plant export certification activities.

Industry participants were also advised of several planned outages affecting BICON,COLS,COLSB2G and other DAFF systems between 29 and 31 August. Businesses should continue to monitor system notifications and plan lodgements and cargo processing activities accordingly.

National Biosecurity Week Highlights

The week also marked the conclusion of National Biosecurity Week 2026 (24-30 August), held under the theme "Protecting What We Value". The campaign highlighted the critical role biosecurity plays in protecting Australia's environment, agricultural industries, economy and way of life from harmful pests, diseases and invasive species.

Throughout the week, DAFF showcased the people and partnerships that underpin Australia's biosecurity system, including detector dog teams, entomologists, frontline biosecurity officers, conservation programs and trusted trader initiatives such as the Highly Compliant Importer (HCI) Scheme. The campaign reinforced that Biosecurity is a shared responsibility, with businesses and the broader community playing a critical role through compliance, vigilance and early reporting of potential biosecurity risks.

As Australia enters another BMSB season and import controls continue to evolve, the week's developments serve as a timely reminder that strong biosecurity outcomes rely on both robust government oversight and ongoing industry cooperation.

We hope you enjoy this week's report.
 

Summary

Import Updates 

DAFF issued two key import related notices during the week, focusing on biosecurity risk management and pest prevention measures.

Notifications included the commencement of the 2026-27 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Risk Season from 1 September 2026, with associated seasonal measures applying to relevant goods and conveyances arriving from identified risk countries. DAFF also released the final report for the pest risk analysis of Khapra Beetle (Trogoderma granarium) - Part 1, covering plant product pathways and outlining the department's assessment of biosecurity risks and management measures.

Importers, brokers and supply chain participants should review the updated requirements and risk assessment outcomes to ensure compliance with Australia's biosecurity obligations and to minimise delays to cargo clearance.

Export Updates

Export activity this week was dominated by a series of Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Market Access Advie (MAA) notices introducing updated European Union certification requirements for several export commodities, including honey and edible apiculture products, fish and fish products, and milk and milk products. The changes, effective from 30August 2026, reflect the EU rules relating to the use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals and dairy production systems.

Exporters supplying these products to EU markets should review the revised health certificates and ensure certification and compliance processes are updated accordingly to avoid potential disruptions to trade and market access.

DAFF also issued MAA 2026-05 advising of changed certificate requirements for low-risk edible products containing meat entering Canada. In addition, IAN 2026-48 outlined updates to the performance standards for authorised officers involved in plant export certification activities. Businesses affected by these changes should familiarise themselves with the new requirements and implement any necessary operational adjustments.

System Notifications - Planned Outages

DAFF issued a series of system notices during the week advising of scheduled maintenance and service disruptions across a number of departmental platforms.

Notifications included planned outages affecting BICON,COLS and COLSB2G, as well as broader maintenance windows impacting multiple DAFF systems between 29 and 31 August 2026. These activities were undertaken as part of scheduled system maintenance and upgrade works.

Industry participants should continue to monitor system notices 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 were largely focused on strengthening biosecurity controls through new import permit and documentation requirements, while also providing industry with additional treatment options and clarifying existing import pathways.

The most significant development was the announcement that all fresh citrus fruit imported from Egypt will require an import permit from 11 September 2026. The new requirement applies to oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins, tangerines and grapefruit imported for human consumption and forms part of DAFF's review of import pathways and biosecurity oversight measures. Importers should ensure permit applications are lodged well in advance, as assessments may take up to 20 business days.

Several updates were also introduced for restricted seed for sowing pathways. Effective 29 August 2026, importers of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) and a number of other restricted seed species requiring post entry quarantine must now provide documentation confirming the scientific name of the imported seed. Acceptable evidence may include supplier declarations, invoices, packing lists or phytosanitary certificates. The new requirement is intended to improve species verification, strengthen biosecurity risk management and reduce border clearance delays, with additional seed pathways expected to be updated progressively.

Ahead of the 2026-27 Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) season, DAFF also approved Ethyl Formate as an additional onshore treatment option for target risk and target high risk goods. This provides importers with greater flexibility in managing BMSB treatment requirements while maintaining compliance with Australia's biosecurity framework.

In addition, the BICON Water case was updated to rename the pathway from "Commercially bottled water" to "Commercially prepared water". The scope of the case has also been expanded to include goods containing commercially prepared water, such as decorative and ornamental products that contain water.

Overall, this week's developments were centered on enhancing biosecurity assurance through tighter import controls and documentation requirements, while also introducing practical compliance measures to support trade and border processing efficiency.
 

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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