17/02/2023
Who does this notice affect?
Biosecurity industry participants, such as vessel owners, operators, shipping agents and importers involved in the importation process of bulk mined and chemical (natural or synthetic) fertiliser.
What has changed?
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (department) has recently observed an increase in contamination incidents in consignments of bulk imported mined and chemical fertiliser originating from some supply chains located in the People’s Republic of China.
How is the department responding
The department will be temporarily increasing intervention on some consignments of bulk imported mined and chemical fertiliser (natural or synthetic) originating from certain Level 1 / Level 1 Gold suppliers located in the People’s Republic of China, to determine the extent of the supply chain risks and ongoing contamination.
This increased intervention applies to bulk in ships hold consignments only, and includes both bagged and loose product.
This increased intervention does not apply to containerised consignments.
What do the changes mean for affected biosecurity industry participants?
Consignments of bulk mined and chemical fertilisers (natural or synthetic) originating from suppliers located in the People’s Republic of China that hold a Level 1 / Level 1 Gold risk classification may be issued with a Level 2 risk rating, regardless of the existing risk classification of the supplier and vessel.
Consignments of bulk mined and chemical fertiliser with a Level 2 risk rating are required to undergo biosecurity management activites prior to discharge from the vessel. These activities include:
- An initial visual assessment activity at the first port of call
- On-board inspection and sampling at the first port of call
What happens if the department identifies contaminants of biosecurity concern?
If contaminants of biosecurity concern are identified in consignments of imported mined and chemical fertiliser, the consignment will be subject to further intervention by the department as appropriate.
Affected biosecurity industry participants are requested to remain vigilant and report any instances of confirmed or suspected biosecurity contamination to the department. To report a biosecurity concern, please contact the department’s See. Secure. Report. hotline on 1800 798 636, or visit the department’s Report a pest or disease concern webpage for further information.
Further information
If you have any questions or concerns relating to this Import Industry Advice Notice, please contact the Sea Cargo Policy team via email at SeaCargoPolicy@aff.gov.au.
For the department’s imported mined and chemical fertiliser policy, see Chemical and mined fertiliser.
For importing conditions, see the department’s Biosecurity Import Conditions database, BICON.