8 July 2022
Who does this notice affect?
This notice is of interest to all vessel masters and shipping agents who represent international commercial vessels for the purposes of biosecurity reporting for arrival in Australian territory.
What has changed?
Biosecurity directions and advice for livestock vessels are changing in the Maritime Arrivals Reporting System’s (MARS), with revised Biosecurity Status Document (BSD) conditions.
BSD directions will include requirements for:
- footbaths to be placed at both the top and bottom of gangways on all livestock vessels while in Australian ports.
- crew to ensure footbaths are maintained at all times.
- all persons embarking or disembarking the vessel to be directed to use footbaths in footwear visibly free from organic material. That means footwear needs to be clean prior to the footbaths being used.
These changes to BSD conditions assist in the ongoing management of the Australian Government’s measures to prevent the introduction of disease into Australia such as foot and mouth disease (FMD) and lumpy skin disease (LSD).
Vessels, and the goods and people they convey, present potential pathways for disease and virus.
It is critical that existing requirements for cleaning and disinfection of conveyances are strictly followed. Livestock carriers should be thoroughly cleaned of organic material and disinfected and disinsected in accordance with directions.
Changes to the livestock BSD conditions came into effect in MARS on 7 July 2022.
What do you need to do?
Complete pre-arrival reporting (PAR) in MARS as usual. Masters and agents may see the revised conditions in BSDs.
Vessel masters and shipping agents are reminded:
- To read and understand the Biosecurity Status Document (BSD) directions and conditions and keep a copy of the current document on board the vessel for the duration of the voyage
- That a failure to report accurately or comply with a requirement under the Biosecurity Act may result in penalties, including infringement notices, civil penalties or criminal prosecutions.
Background
BSDs are the single source of information for biosecurity directions and advice to commercial vessel operator, master and shipping agent for each voyage. BSD documents are emailed to the master and agent and accessible directly in MARS. They are auto generated in MARS and are version controlled to reflect any reported changes to directions or status occurring throughout a voyage.
Further information
For any questions, contact the department’s National Maritime Centre (NMC) by email or phone
1300 004 605 (in Australia) or +61 8 8201 6185 (outside Australia).
The latest technical details of FMD and lumpy skin disease is published on the department's website: Foot and mouth disease and lumpy skin disease.
Additional information on MARS and BSD conditions is available on the department's website - MARS and in the brochure, MARS and what it means for you.