VIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, WATER AND THE ENVIRONMENT
For the 2020-21 BMSB risk season, heightened biosecurity measures will apply to:
The measures apply to goods shipped from 1 September 2020 that arrive in Australian territory by 31 May 2021 (inclusive).
Goods shipped between 1 September 2020 and 30 April 2021 need to be treated and will be referred for intervention if they arrive by 31 May 2021 (inclusive).
Please refer to the departments’ website for further information on seasonal measures for BMSB.
The measures for the 2020-21 BMSB risk season essentially remain the same, with the addition of four (4) countries to the target risk country list. These countries are Kazakhstan, Portugal, Moldova and Ukraine.
The department has made changes to the BMSB seasonal measures webpage to assist importers and brokers in navigating their way through the measures. Changes you will notice include:
In preparation for the 2020-21 BMSB risk season, the department has updated the Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme (the scheme). The updates are listed on the scheme webpage. Registration for 2020-21 BMSB risk season is now open. The application form can be found here.
Note: All treatment providers registered for the 2019-20 season must re-apply for the upcoming BMSB risk season.
The department encourages stakeholders in the import and shipping industries to make prospective offshore BMSB treatment providers aware of the requirement to register for the 2020-21 BMSB risk season.
As the new season approaches stakeholders should ensure they understand the key compliance requirements from the scheme and BMSB treatment methodologies which have been summarised in the factsheets published on the guidance for conducting BMSB Treatments webpage. The factsheets should be read in conjunction with the scheme and relevant treatment methodology.
As treatment providers are approved, they will be listed on the List of Offshore Treatment Providers webpage.
On 21 July 2020, the department opened the Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme (the scheme) for applications for the 2020-21 BMSB risk season. The scheme provides an alternate clearance pathway for certain goods imported into Australia as sea cargo during the BMSB risk season. It also provides recognition of the ability of approved participants to manage seasonal hitchhiker pest risk offshore, from the point of manufacture, to the point of embarkation to Australia, in line with eligibility criteria.
As part of the changes to the scheme for the 2020-21 BMSB risk season, the department has broadened the minimum import requirements to anyone that imports 50 twenty foot container equivalent units (TEUs). Further changes include refinements to the application form and reference material to assist prospective applicants through the application process.
Please refer to the Safeguarding Arrangements webpage for further information on the scheme. If you have any questions, you can contact the Safeguarding team via email at [email protected]
Under the 2020-21 BMSB seasonal measures, Less than Container Load (LCL) consignments and Freight of All Kinds (FAK) containers with target high risk goods, will be managed at the container level.
To streamline the manual process of managing BMSB risk for LCL/FAK containers, Master Consolidators will be required to register with the department and be allocated with an individual Master Consolidator Identification number (MC ID). This number must be used with all declarations made for the LCL/FAK process during the BMSB risk season.
If you have previously registered as an MC, there is no need to re-register for the 2020-21 BMSB season.
If you require to be registered as a Master Consolidator, please submit a registration form to the department at [email protected]
To ensure no processing delays, MC’s are reminded to ensure their registration details are correct and up to date prior to the season starting. Please email [email protected] if any updates are required.