Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) Safeguarding Arrangements Scheme

Applications are open from 31 July to 30 January and submissions must be complete before assessment can begin. Applying for the Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme does not automatically result in approval being granted.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate the following as part of their application. Please consider whether you and your supply chain can meet each of these requirements prior to applying for the scheme.

• Goods must be imported into Australia by a single importing entity that has a valid Australian Company Number (ACN) and/or Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Goods must be transported in a hard six -sided shipping container.
• Goods must be stored indoors between manufacture and export to Australia.
• Processes and mitigation actions are in place (and can be demonstrated) throughout the supply chain to protect the goods from exposure to BMSB, exotic pests and other biosecurity risks.
• Contingency actions are in place (and can be demonstrated) in case BMSB is detected at any point in the supply chain.
• If approved, all supply chain staff must complete the department’s online Hitchhiker awareness training and understand their obligations under the safeguarding agreement. (The training package will be provided on approval of your application).
• Provide at least one supply chain compliance audit which meets your department approved supply chain plan for each manufacturing and indoor storage site, within 60 days of receiving formal approval for the current season.

Possible mitigation processes and actions may include:

• Secure packaging immediately after manufacture
• Storing goods indoors for less than 120 hours
• Goods stored at constant temperatures below 5°C (41°F) after manufacture until arrival in Australia
• Detailed inspection procedures during storage and when loading to ensure goods are free of BMSB and other pests
• Pest treatments – including insecticidal fogging and residual insecticide treatments
• Pest inspections by accredited providers

Applications for the scheme are not available to:

• Onshore supply chains or sites located in Australia.
• Goods transported as breakbulk (BB) including flat rack and open top containers.
• Goods transported in Less than Container Load (LCL) and Freight of All Kinds (FAK) containers.
• Goods that have ‘many-to-many’ supply chains, such as those encompassing goods obtained from multiple suppliers to multiple importers.

Importers must:

• Ensure all processes and actions outlined in the Safeguarding agreement are followed to ensure goods are exported to Australia BMSB free.
• Ensure all shipping containers are clean and BMSB free prior to loading goods.
• Manage the unpack of goods imported into Australia in a metro area.
• Conduct at least one independent audit which meets the approved supply chain plan for each manufacturing and indoor storage site, within 60 days of receiving formal approval for the current season and provide details of the audit to the department for review.
• Contact the Safeguarding team immediately if pest detections are made at any point in the supply chain.

If you SEE any biosecurity concerns, SECURE the goods and immediately and REPORT to Biosecurity Reports on 1800 798 636.

SEE. SECURE. REPORT

Applications for the departments Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme are open for submission annually between 1 July and 30 January via the ‘Application for BMSB Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme’ form.

The following information must be supplied when submitting the application:

• Completed application form including supply chain mitigation and contingency actions and processes.
• Australian Border Force (ABF) 3 year import data report to demonstrate minimum import requirements. Please contact the ABF via email at gstreport@abf.gov.au to obtain a copy of the report.
• A minimum of six images showing the inside and outside of all manufacturing and indoor storage sites listed in the application

Please refer to the Safeguarding Arrangement: Supply Chain Processes Guideline to assist in the submission of your application.

Renewal is not automatically granted, applicants must submit a new application each year.

A supply chain compliance audit outlines all processes that an organisation follows to lower the risk of BMSB, and other exotic pests and diseases of biosecurity concern.

Each site included in the approved supply chain plan must undergo an audit and reports must demonstrate the supply chain is compliant with the requirements of the Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme.

Approved participants of the scheme are required to conduct at least one supply chain compliance audit which meets the approved supply chain plan for each manufacturing and indoor storage site, within 60 days of the approval date and provide to the department for review.

The use of an independent, unbiased auditor is preferred however, where this is not possible, the audit may be carried out by a senior employee.

Prior to commencing the audit, auditors should be provided with the approved supply chain plan and your application form to inform them of the requirements of the scheme.

The following information should be included in the audit, note this list is not exclusive:

• The auditors name and credentials/company position
• A brief description of the report’s intention
• An overview of the current practice/s of the site
• Is the premises operating as described in the application form?
• A list of the site documents reviewed
• Verification that the premise is kept clean, dry, and free from pests and contamination
• Verification the exterior area of the premise is properly maintained to discourage pests such as BMSB
• Verification that each step or procedure in the supply chain is followed and adhered to
• Outline any measures undertaken to close any supply chain gaps or rectify non-compliance
• Do reporting procedures exist for biosecurity risks, including BMSB? What are they?
• Specify if the mitigation and contingency procedures are sufficient to ensure goods arrive in Australia BMSB free
• Summary of the audits finding
• Reports must be signed by the auditor, on auditors’ letterhead or company letterhead.

Images/photos can also be supplied to support the information on the Audit report(s)

Failure to provide an audit report to the department will result in suspension of that entity from the scheme until an audit report is provided which shows compliance. Audit reports showing non-compliance may result in increased levels of intervention, suspension from the scheme or corrective actions as required.

The departments Compliance Policy framework is available here, Compliance Policy.