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National Biosecurity Management Group Communiqué: National Browsing Ant Eradication Program in the Northern Territory – 21 May 2025

The National Biosecurity Management Group (NBMG) met on 21 May 2025 and approved a 3-year Response Plan inclusive of a cost-shared budget of $4 million for the National Browsing Ant Eradication Program (NBAEP) in the Northern Territory (NT).

Browsing ant was first detected in the NT in June 2015 and the Response Plan 2024-2027 demonstrates the long-term commitment from governments to eradicate browsing ant from Australia. The Response Plan 2024-2027 extends the existing NBAEP to achieve Proof of Freedom by June 2027.

167-2025: Scheduled Outage: Saturday 31 May to Sunday 01 June 2025 – RAM, Multiple Systems

30 May 2025

Who does this notice affect?

Approved arrangements operators, customs brokers, importers, manned depots, and freight forwarders who are required to book and manage requests for inspections through the Biosecurity Portal using the ‘Sign in with your Digital ID’ (myID) pathway.

Approved arrangement operators attempting to access online reports of entries referred to the department for biosecurity assessment, or management under a class 19 Approved Arrangement, via the Biosecurity Cargo Status Tracker (BCST).

Jail sentence for illegal wildlife smuggler

A man involved in an illegal wildlife trafficking ring has been sentenced to 9 months in prison after pleading guilty to 3 offences related to smuggling exotic animals into Australia.

National Management Group Communiqué: Tomato brown rugose fruit virus – 29 May 2025

The National Management Group (NMG) agreed at its meeting on 29 May 2025 that it is no longer technically feasible to eradicate tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) from Australia. This decision is based on the technical considerations of the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP) and engagement with production nursery, capsicum, processing and fresh tomato industries on the potential to manage the pest as part of their normal business operations.