20 May 2019
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 and principal agents— associated with shipping or importing goods that require increased intervention during the 2018-19 BMSB risk season.
What has changed?
In response to the expansion of BMSB throughout Europe, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department), implemented seasonal measures to manage the risk of BMSB from entering and establishing in Australia during the 2018-19 BMSB risk season.
During the risk season, certain goods manufactured in, or shipped from identified target risk countries as sea cargo were subject to the heightened measures. This applied to goods shipped between 1 September 2018 and 30 April 2019 (inclusive). The seasonal measures were extended to include increased reporting for all vessels that had berthed during the season at identified target risk countries and all roll-on roll-off vessels to undertake a seasonal pest inspection (SPI) on arrival as per Industry Advice Notice 2019-62.
On 30 April 2019, the 2018-19 seasonal measures for BMSB concluded. Goods shipped or vessels departing from BMSB identified target risk countries on or after 1 May 2019, will no longer be subject to the BMSB seasonal measures including the SPI on arrival.
Goods shipped or vessels departed on or before 30 April 2019 that are still en route to Australia, will remain subject to the BMSB seasonal measures on arrival. ICS community protection profiles will remain active until 16 June 2019. To manage these goods, the department will use the shipped on board date to determine if BMSB measures are applicable.
All vessels are reminded of their obligation to continue to report all insect detections on their pre arrival report. Importers are also reminded that it is their responsibility to continue to ensure that any goods imported, are free of biosecurity risk material throughout the year, not just during periods of heightened seasonal measures.
If you see something that could have entered Australia with imported goods report it to See. Secure. Report. on 1800 798 636 or complete the online form.
Automatic entry processing for commodities (AEPCOMM)
AEPCOMM can continue to be utilised to facilitate the clearance of goods shipped on or before 30 April 2019 that are still en route to Australia and subject to the BMSB seasonal measures.
For goods shipped after 30 April 2019 (outside of the BMSB seasonal measures), AEPCOMM is applicable in accordance with the updated Assessment Guide for Class 19.2 Accredited Persons.
The department will monitor compliance with applying exemptions via AEPCOMM for goods shipped after 30 April 2019.
Proposed measures for the 2019-20 BMSB risk season
For further information on the proposed measures for the 2019-20 BMSB risk season see our Industry Advice Notice 2019-57 and BMSB webpages: www.agriculture.gov.au/bmsb
Further information
- For further information regarding BMSB seasonal measures, can be found on the BMSB webpage agriculture.gov.au/bmsb
- For further information on using AEPCOMM, please email:
AEP support