28 June 2022
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise that the Accredited Grain Surveyor Assurance (AGSA) scheme will commence on 1 July 2023.
Summary of changes and key points
- The AGSA scheme will commence on 1 July 2023.
- The scheme will be administered by the Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors (AIMS) and will be overseen by the department.
- We will provide further updates to advise when applications for the scheme will open.
Background
The Export Control Act 2020 and the Export Control (Plants and Plant Products) Rules 2021 (Plant Rules) set the requirements for the export of plants and plant products. On 1 January 2022, amendments were made to the Plant Rules to clarify the requirements for marine surveyors to be accredited under the AGSA scheme, to perform bulk vessel surveys. On 1 July 2022, these amendments were scheduled to take effect.
The AGSA scheme will now commence on 1 July 2023 and the legislation will be updated shortly with the new date.
Marine surveyor responsibilities
- The qualification and experience requirements for marine surveyors to be accredited under the AGSA scheme are available on the plant export legislation changes webpage.
- Marine surveyors wishing to be accredited under the scheme may continue to undertake training to fulfill those requirements.
- Marine surveyors must continue to issue marine surveyor certificates (or fitness to load certificates) in line with current processes.
Authorised officer responsibilities
- Authorised officers appointed in the job function BVI3001: Export inspection of empty bulk vessels must continue to operate in line with current instructional material available in the Plant Export Operations Manual.
Exporter and shipping company responsibilities
- Exporters, shippers, and shipping agents must continue to source qualified marine surveyors under the current Plant Rules to perform bulk vessel surveys.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email Plant Export Reform.
Rossana Carr
Acting Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch