Date of issue: 30 November 2020

Date of effect: Immediate

Reference Number: MAA2020-26

Attention:

27 November 2020

Who does this notice affect?

Clients in the import and shipping industries—including freight forwarders, importers and customs brokers—associated with importing goods that require BMSB treatment during the BMSB risk season (goods shipped between 1 September 2020 that arrive in Australian territory by 31 May 2021 inclusive).

In 2017, the Agriculture Ministers’ Forum (AGMIN) tasked HACCUT to develop a proposal for nationally harmonising off-label use of agvet chemicals.

26 November 2020

Purpose

This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise the mainland apple and pear industry that applications are now open for the accreditation of orchards/blocks and packhouses to export to Thailand for the 2021 season.

As part of a review of our billing practices, we have identified a billing error. This error has resulted in us overcharging a number of export meat establishments for some meat export inspection activities between 2009 and 2018.

We are now offering repayments to those affected.

We engaged external assurance consultants Callida Consulting. They have provided independent advice and assurance on our calculations and repayment estimates.

25 November 2020

Who does this notice affect?

All stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including freight forwarders, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers and customs brokers.

Information

Due to recent interception of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium), the department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment will be diverting a number of staff to the emergency response, in particular inspections and treatments required at a number of locations around the country.

23 November 2020

Who does this notice affect?

All importers and customs brokers who will be required to lodge imported cargo documentation to the department for biosecurity assessment during this planned outage.

All importers of plants, cats and/or dogs who will be required to use the Post Entry Biosecurity System during this planned outage.

23 November 2020

Who does this notice affect?

All clients required to use the department’s Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) system during this planned maintenance period.

Information

Due to scheduled infrastructure maintenance, BICON users may experience several intermittent outages from 16:00 to 23:59 on Sunday 29 November 2020 (AEDT).

Action

Users are advised to frequently save any in-progress permit applications during this maintenance period.

23 November 2020

Who does this notice affect?

This notice is of interest to all vessel masters and shipping agents who represent international commercial and non-commercial vessels for the purposes of Australian biosecurity clearance.

What has changed?

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department) will commence its annual heightened surveillance regime for managing the risks posed by Burnt Pine Longicorn (BPL) beetles on vessels departing from New Zealand from midnight, 24:00 hours (NZST) on 23 November 2020.