27 August 2024
Who does this notice affect?
Businesses and individuals involved in the logistics pathway for imported shipping containers (especially Country Action List containers) including stevedores, sea freight depots, empty container parks, shipping lines, shipping agents, customs brokers, freight forwarders, road transporters, transport depots, port authorities and importers. This includes operators who hold biosecurity approved arrangements (AAs) with the department as well as those that do not.
What has changed?
A Have Your Say consultation has commenced, and we want your input.
Under the Hitchhiker Pest Program, we are developing a new policy for managing biosecurity risks associated with containers. The proposed policy involves new types of approved arrangements, particularly in wharf and port areas.
The survey provides the opportunity to:
- indicate whether these approved arrangements would be of interest to you
- identify any concerns you may have
- provide any comments or suggestions on what is proposed.
Documents attached to the survey include background information and drafts of the proposed approved arrangements.
Your input will help us to refine policy and implementation processes for these arrangements.
The Have Your Say will be open for consultation from 27 August 2024 to 5pm on Tuesday 8 October.
Background
The Hitchhiker Pest Program was established to address the increasing risk of hitchhiker pests and contamination that can be carried via shipping containers. One of the key elements of this program is working with industry to establish new approved arrangements to inspect more shipping containers arriving into Australia.
Further information
For further information, please email the Approved Arrangements Program at aa.canberra@aff.gov.au.