FTA/APSA Biosecurity Report 38 22/09/2026 Sponsored by Talux IQ

Dear <<First Name>>

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 developments focused on updates to import and export requirements, refinements to BICON import pathways, and a series of departmental system outage notifications affecting operational planning across the supply chain. While no new biosecurity reviews or suspensions were announced, several regulatory and administrative changes highlighted DAFF's ongoing focus on maintaining effective risk management settings, strengthening import controls, and improving the efficiency of biosecurity processes.

Import stakeholders received updated arrangements for decrowned pineapple imports from India and Indonesia, alongside a new import permit requirement for fresh citrus fruit from Egypt. Exporters were also advised of revised import requirements for Australian table grape exports to New Zealand and a new European Union health certificate requirement for certain fish and marine products.

BICON updates centred on pathway management and biosecurity risk mitigation. Key changes included updates to the approved offshore facilities list for ex-agar tissue culture imports, strengthened import conditions for aquatic plants in response to Zebra mussel and Quagga mussel risks, suspension of non-tissue culture aquatic plant imports from Mexico, and the consolidation of waste import pathways to streamline arrangements for environmental and industrial reuse products.

Industry participants were also required to manage a significant number of DAFF system notifications during the week, including multiple planned outages across departmental systems and temporary disruptions to DAFF messaging services. These notices reinforced the importance of monitoring system availability and planning lodgements, permits and cargo processing activities accordingly.

An important broader industry development was the announcement of the Inspector-General of Biosecurity's independent review into the use of technology across Australia's biosecurity system. The review is seeking industry input on technologies that support risk assessment, inspection activities, automation, artificial intelligence and data sharing across freight, logistics, shipping and related sectors. Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has encouraged members to contribute practical examples of existing and emerging technologies that may enhance future biosecurity operations, with submissions requested by 9 October 2026.

Overall, this week's updates reflected a continued focus on maintaining strong biosecurity protections through targeted import controls, enhanced management of import pathways, and updated export market requirements, while also encouraging industry engagement on the future role of technology in Australia's biosecurity system.

We hope you enjoy this week's report.

Summary

Import Updates 

DAFF issued two import related notices this week concerning market access conditions and biosecurity requirements for imported horticultural products. One notice provided updated guidance in relation to the importation of decrowned pineapples from India and Indonesia, while a separate notification advised of a new import permit requirement for fresh citrus fruit imported from Egypt.

Importers, customs brokers and supply chain participants involved in fresh produce imports should review the revised arrangements and permit requirements to ensure compliance with Australia's biosecurity framework. Early attention to any new documentation or import conditions will assist in avoiding clearance delays and maintaining the efficient movement of goods through the border.

Export Updates

DAFF issued two export related notices this week advising of changes to market access and certification requirements for Australian exporters. The first notification outlined updated import requirements for Australian table grape exports to New Zealand, providing industry with revised arrangements for horticulture consignments entering that market. The second notice advised of a new European Union health certificate requirement for exports of non-viable, wild-origin gastropod molluscs, echinoderms and tunicates, effective from 18 September 2026.

Exporters, authorised officers and supply chain stakeholders involved in horticulture and seafood exports should review the updated requirements and certification arrangements to ensure ongoing compliance and avoid delays in the clearance of consignments destined for New Zealand and European Union markets.
 

System Notifications - Planned Outages

DAFF issued multiple system notifications this week relating to both planned maintenance activities and service disruptions across a range of departmental systems. Notices included several scheduled outages affecting multiple systems between 18 and 23 September 2026, as well as an unplanned outage impacting DAFF messaging services on 17 September, which was subsequently restored on 18 September. A separate notice also referenced an earlier unplanned service disruption affecting BICON.

Given the number of planned maintenance windows and service interruptions advised during the week, industry participants should continue to closely monitor DAFF system notices and plan import declarations, permit applications, inspections, messaging activities, and cargo processing requirements accordingly. Early planning around scheduled outages will assist in minimising disruption to supply chain and biosecurity operations.
 

BICON Watch - Weekly Case updates

This week's BICON updates focused on refining existing import pathways and strengthening biosecurity controls for plant and environmental imports, with no new case alerts issued.

A key change was the update to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's approved list of offshore facilities authorised to export tissue cultures free of media (ex-agar) to Australia. Importers and brokers are encouraged to review the revised list, as some previously approved facilities may have been removed. The updated approved-source list will continue to be used to verify compliance for ex-agar tissue culture imports across a broad range of nursery stock pathways.

Biosecurity conditions for aquatic plants imported as nursery stock were also revised in response to the risks posed by Zebra mussel and Quagga mussel. Non-tissue culture aquatic plant imports from Mexico have been suspended, while treatment requirements for submergent aquatic plants have been updated, including the removal of Maldison and Spinetoran as approved treatment options. Trichlorfon treatments must now comply with both BICON conditions and APVMA permit requirements. Additional changes improve the structure and clarity of the import conditions.

Outside the plant sector, DAFF updated the Waste case to consolidate and simplify import pathways for waste materials intended for environmental or industrial use. The previous "Bioremediation products" and "Fertiliser" pathways have been replaced by a single pathway, "Waste for recycling, repurposing or reuse for environmental or industrial purposes," streamlining import arrangements for a range of waste-derived products.

Overall, this week's changes were primarily administrative and pathway-focused, enhancing regulatory clarity, improving oversight of approved import sources, and strengthening biosecurity protections for aquatic plant imports while simplifying waste import processes.

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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