7 August 2019
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including master consolidators, freight forwarders, importers, customs brokers, offshore and onshore treatment providers and Biosecurity Industry Participants—associated with importing goods that are subject to increased biosecurity intervention during the 2019-20 Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) risk season.
What has changed?
The Australian Department of Agriculture and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries have reviewed the treatment options and rates for the 2019-20 BMSB risk season. It is important to note that some treatment rates have changed.
Both countries have introduced a joint Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme (the scheme), aligning the minimum registration and compliance requirements, for treatment providers conducting BMSB treatments offshore for the 2019-20 risk season. The joint scheme of approved treatment providers will replace the respective schemes used during the 2018-19 risk season, and 2019-20 approved providers will be published on both departmental websites.
Treatment options and rates for 2019-20 BMSB risk season
The Australian Department of Agriculture and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries have finalised and aligned the treatment options and rates for the 2019-20 BMSB risk season.
The three treatment options for the risk season will remain: heat treatment, methyl bromide fumigation and sulfuryl fluoride fumigation.
It is important to note that some treatment rates have changed. Please ensure you familiarise yourself with the new treatment rates.
The treatment options and rates for the 2019-20 BMSB risk season have been published on both the Department of Agriculture and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries’ websites.
Offshore Treatment Providers Scheme
To be able to conduct offshore BMSB treatments during the 2019-20 BMSB risk season, all treatment providers in target risk countries must first register and be approved under the scheme. Treatments conducted by an unapproved treatment provider in a target risk country will not be recognised as valid and the goods will be subject to onshore treatment (if permitted), or be directed for export.
Treatment providers in non-target risk countries who perform multiple BMSB treatments during the 2019-20 are encouraged to register and be approved under the Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme.
Renewal applications for those previously approved during the 2018-19 BMSB risk season
To be recognised under the scheme for the 2019-20 BMSB risk season, treatment providers that were registered and approved for the 2018-19 BMSB risk season must complete a renewal application which can be found on the Offshore BMSB treatments website.
Previously approved offshore treatment providers will not automatically be transferred for approval to treat during the 2019-20 BMSB risk season.
The purpose of the renewal application is to ensure that:
- only treatment providers who wish to participate in the 2019-20 BMSB risk season are included on the list of approved treatment providers, and
- previously registered companies have maintained key equipment and staff as required.
The renewal application process is less extensive than a new application process and will be processed in a shorter timeframe. Offshore treatment providers who renew their registration and are approved will continue to use their existing AEI number from the 2018-19 BMSB risk season.
New applications for the 2019-20 Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme
Applications to become a new provider or to renew as a provider under the 2019-20 Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme can be found on the Offshore BMSB treatments website.
Before applying, treatment providers must read the scheme to ensure they understand the minimum registration and compliance requirements for conducting BMSB treatments on goods bound for Australia and/or New Zealand.
Onshore treatment and Approved Arrangements
The department is continuing to progress the expansion of treatment options onshore and the development of Approved Arrangements classes to support the 2019-20 BMSB risk season.
This includes:
- a new class 12.3 approved arrangement to support application of heat treatment (mobile or at container level), and
- refinement to the existing class 4.1 approved arrangement conditions to support heat treatment activities performed and regulated under the class 12.3 approved arrangement.
The department is continuing to develop a new approved arrangement class to enable effective treatment at the container level for containers that are unsuitable due to over packing and/or impervious packaging. Further information will be made available through follow-up Industry Advice Notices and targeted correspondence.
Further information
For more information regarding the seasonal measures for the 2019-20 BMSB risk season, visit our BMSB webpage: agriculture.gov.au/bmsb