17 April 2023
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries – including vessel masters, freight forwarders, treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers, principal shipping agents, and any other operators in the sea container supply and logistics chain.
What has changed?
As you may be aware, there are some serious pests that can travel to Australia on or within sea containers, imported goods and conveyances. These pests are known as hitchhikers, and we are seeing an increase in their movement globally. Some examples of hitchhiker pests include khapra beetle, giant African snail and brown marmorated stink bug.
An outbreak of a hitchhiker pest in Australia could cost billions of dollars and cause serious damage to our industries, environment, health and lifestyle. Biosecurity is everybody’s business, and we need your help to protect Australia from this growing risk. The sooner we can spot these unwanted pests, the sooner they can be eradicated and prevented from spreading across Australia.
To help raise awareness of the risk of hitchhiker pests, we have launched a new website:
agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/hitchhiker-pests
Our new website provides information on key hitchhiker pests, the risks they pose, how to identify them, where to look and what to do if you suspect you have detected one.
We would appreciate your assistance with sharing this link with your relevant stakeholders. You can also use it in any communication material you develop on hitchhiker pests.
The new website is part of a broader general awareness campaign on the risks of hitchhiker pests. This work stems from the Hitchhiker Pest Program which aims to build a more robust biosecurity system and guard Australia from the increasing threat of hitchhiker pests. Learn more at our Hitchhiker Pest Program webpage.
Further information
Please contact plantstakeholder@aff.gov.au for further information.