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  7. 2023
  8. 2023-38

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  • Industry Notices
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2023-38: Plant Export Operations – Accredited Grain Surveyor Assurance Scheme has commenced

3 July 2023

Purpose

This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise that amendments to the Export Control (Plants and Plant Products) Rules 2021 (Plant Rules) commenced on 1 July 2023, including the requirement for marine surveyors who perform bulk vessel surveys for grain to be accredited under the Accredited Grain Surveyor Assurance (AGSA) scheme.

Summary of changes and key points

  • The AGSA scheme commenced on 1 July 2023.
  • The scheme is being administered by the Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors (AIMS) and will be overseen by us.
  • From 1 July 2023, bulk vessels cannot be inspected and approved for loading consumable prescribed grain unless the fitness to load certificate was issued by a marine surveyor accredited by AIMS.
  • Note: A transition period will allow for marine surveyor fitness to load certificates issued on or before 30 June 2023 to be accepted for bulk vessel inspections performed by authorised officers on or after 1 July 2023.
  • Marine surveyors wishing to be accredited can still make an application through the AIMS website. However, they must be accredited and appear on the list of accredited grain surveyors to perform bulk vessel surveys for prescribed grain under Part 5, Chapter 11 of the Plant Rules.
  • Further information on the changes to legislation and what it means for marine surveyors and bulk vessel authorised officers (AOs) is available on the plant export legislation changes webpage.

Background

The Export Control Act 2020 and the Export Control (Plants and Plant Products) Rules 2021 (Plant Rules) set the requirements for the export of plants and plant products.
On 1 January 2022, amendments were made to the Plant Rules to clarify the requirements for marine surveyors to be accredited to perform bulk vessel surveys. The amendments also set out the Secretary’s powers to suspend or revoke a bulk vessel approval where a marine surveyor’s certificate is not issued by a marine surveyor accredited under the AGSA scheme. On 1 July 2023, these amendments took effect.

Marine surveyor responsibilities

  • Marine surveyors can apply to AIMS for accreditation.
    Note: AIMS members and non-members can apply.
  • There is an initial application fee ($150) per marine surveyor.
  • There is an annual accreditation fee ($250) per marine surveyor.
  • The names of accredited marine surveyors will be published in a list on the AIMS website, and surveyors will be issued identification cards.
  • For further information on the application process, see IAN 2023-32.

Exporter and shipping company responsibilities

  • Exporters and shipping companies must source accredited marine surveyors to perform bulk vessel surveys for the export of consumable prescribed grain in bulk vessels.

Authorised officer responsibilities

  • Authorised officers appointed in the job function BVI3001: Export inspection of empty bulk vessels (BVI AO) must confirm that the marine surveyor who surveyed the vessel is accredited under the AGSA scheme before accepting the marine surveyor certificate (or fitness to load certificate).
  • BVI AOs must operate in line with the updated instructional material available in the Plant Export Operations Manual.
  • For further information on the updated instructional material, see IAN 2023-30.

Contact information

If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email the Grain and Seed Exports Program.

Rossana Carr
Acting Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch

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Call 1800 900 090

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Page last updated: 03 July 2023

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

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