31 January 2025
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including Master Consolidators, vessel masters, freight forwarders, treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers and principal agents—associated with shipping or importing goods from BMSB target risk or native risk countries.
Seasonal Reminder
Hitchhiker pests can arrive in Australia on aircraft or vessels, cargo and containers, crew and passenger baggage, and may be more common at particular times of the year. The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is one such pest, which originates from Asia and has spread to North America and Europe in recent decades.
Each BMSB season, the department implements stringent controls to manage BMSB through mandatory offshore and onshore treatment requirements, together with random verification inspections on emerging risk countries and pathways to ensure risk settings are appropriate. In addition to these overt controls, the department places BMSB traps in high-risk locations. This season has seen a relatively higher number of BMSB being found in the traps at some of these sites, with the department undertaking appropriate response activities as a result.
The department is reminding industry to be extra vigilant when opening containers, receiving and unpacking goods from BMSB target risk and native risk countries and to look for and report live BMSB and other pests found on cargo, on or inside containers and vessels. BMSB has the potential to significantly impact our agricultural industries, environment and social amenity. It is critical we detect and can respond to any incursions as quickly as possible.
Further information
For information on how you can help, what to look for, where to look and how to report please go to Check cargo, containers and vessels for pests - DAFF or report a pest or disease concern on the Department’s See. Secure. Report hotline on 1800 798 636 or complete our online reporting form.