11 July 2014
This Biosecurity Advice announces the commencement of consultation on the examination of the import risk analysis (IRA) process and invites interested parties to make a submission.
The Australian Government through the Department of Agriculture is undertaking an examination of Australia’s IRA process, delivering on the government’s election commitment.
A public discussion paper is available on the department’s website and includes information on the current IRA process. Readers are asked to consider the current process and options for improvement particularly around the following areas:
- transparency and consultation during the IRA process
- the use of external scientific and economic expertise
- consideration of regional differences in animal or plant health status during the IRA process.
- following the consultation period, outcomes of discussions, comments and written submissions will be consolidated and reviewed.
Any recommendations for administrative and regulatory changes as a result of this consultation process will be considered by the government.
The government has announced that it intends to progress the Biosecurity Bill 2014 to replace the Quarantine Act 1908 (for more information biosecurity legislation).
The department will also consider the outcomes of this examination in the development of regulations and policies for conducting import risk analyses under the Biosecurity Bill 2014.
Consultation on the examination of the IRA process will begin on 11 July 2014 and will close on 10 September 2014.
For more information, or to make a submission, please visit IRA examination or contact the Biosecurity Regulation and Reform Policy Branch at or call us on 1800 040 629.
Deb Langford
Assistant Secretary
Service Delivery Division
Contact: Biosecurity Regulation and Reform Policy Branch
Telephone: 1800 040 629
Email: Biosecurity Consultation