About DAFF

Biosecurity Australia

Other formats

This information is also available in the following formats:

Biosecurity Australia
PDF [807kb]

Pie charts showing the FTE's (people) and departmental funding figure

Biosecurity Australia

Biosecurity Australia, a prescribed agency within the department under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997, provides science-based quarantine assessments and policy advice to the department, and particularly to the Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).

Biosecurity Australia’s planned outcome aligns with and complements that of the department:

To provide science based quarantine assessments and policy advice that protects Australia’s favourable pest and disease status and enhances Australia’s access to international animal and plant related markets.

The agency’s activities are in three main areas:

scientific and technical advice on agricultural imports
scientific and technical advice on agricultural exports
involvement with international standards-setting authorities.

On 1 July 2009, Biosecurity Australia was de-prescribed and absorbed into the Biosecurity Services Group as part of the process of responding to the Beale review (see page xiii).

Since it was prescribed in December 2004, Biosecurity Australia has performed almost 9000 risk analyses of varying complexity and has been at the centre of quarantine import policy development, maintaining Australia’s ‘clean and green’ reputation. Similarly, Biosecurity Australia has provided extensive and effective scientific and technical support for Australia’s agricultural export market access; many markets have been opened and increased as the results of these efforts. Biosecurity Australia has also overseen the introduction of regulations covering import risk analysis for the first time, enhancing its effectiveness and fairness.

These functions will now be taken up by the Biosecurity Services Group.

Highlights

Significantly progressed 10 animal and 25 plant import risk assessments.
Finalised one animal and eight plant import risk analyses.
Completed more than 500 animal and 517 plant assessments referred by AQIS.
Gained three new animal and eight new plant export markets.
Improved access to four animal and 14 plant export markets.
Maintained 12 animal and four plant export markets against new importing country restrictions.
Progressed more than 95 animal and 40 plant technical plant export market access issues.

Examples of significant export- and import-related activities in 2008–09 are:

Exports

Animal:

Gained market access for cattle embryos and semen to Costa Rica.
Gained market access for breeding sheep to Israel.
Improved market access for breeding cattle to China.
Improved market access for feeder cattle to Vietnam.
Maintained access for horses to a number of countries—Malaysia, New Caledonia, the Philippines, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.
Improved market access for breeding cattle to China.

Plant:

Improved market access for Tasmanian cherries to Japan.
Improved market access for citrus and mangoes to China.
Achieved market access for lychees to New Zealand.

Imports

Issued a draft import risk analysis report in March 2009 on iridovirus risks associated with imported ornamental finfish.
Announced Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine biosecurity policy determinations on importation of bananas from the Philippines, chicken meat, fresh mango fruit from India, and zoo rodents.

Biosecurity reviews

During 2008–09 the report of the Equine Influenza Inquiry (the Callinan report) (see page xxviii) and the Quarantine and Biosecurity Review (the Beale report) (see page xiii) were tabled in parliament. Their recommendations were accepted in principle by the government.

The Beale report recommended:

enhanced partnership with the states and territories
new institutional arrangements to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity
adoption of a risk–return approach
further improvements to the science-based approach to assessing biosecurity risk.

Contributing to biosecurity policy decisions

In 2008–09 Biosecurity Australia:

under the regulated import risk analysis (IRA) process, began one new analysis on ornamental finfish and, outside the regulated process, began one new risk assessment on horses from approved countries
began one new plant analysis on table grapes from China under the regulated IRA process
significantly progressed eight animal risk analyses, including IRAs and policy reviews
significantly progressed 25 plant risk analyses, including IRAs and policy reviews
finalised one animal risk analysis on chicken meat
finalised eight plant risk analyses.

Examples of Biosecurity Australia’s risk analysis work in progress or finalised in 2008–09 are summarised in Table 20. Further details are provided in Table 22.

Biosecurity Australia also provided advice on matters referred by AQIS. We completed more than 500 animal and 517 plant risk assessments for AQIS, including:

186 plant risk analyses covering a wide variety of imports of potential plant quarantine concern
331 weed risk assessments.

Table 20 Biosecurity Australia—examples of import risk analysis work, 2008–09
Import risk analyses in progress	Import risk analyses finalised
Horses	Chicken meat
Ornamental finfish—iridovirus	Zoo rodents
Prawns	Bananas from the Philippines
Hatching eggs of ducks (policy review)	Apples from New Zealand
Non-human primates (preliminary work)	Table grapes from California
Rabies (preliminary work)	Mangoes from India
Ruminant semen and embryos—bluetongue virus in Europe (preliminary work)
Minimisation of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy risk in veterinary vaccines (preliminary work)
Stone fruit from the US
Unshu mandarins from Japan
Apples from China
Capsicum from Korea

Table 21 Selected market access outcomes achieved with assistance from Biosecurity Australia, 2008–09
Market access gained	Market access improved	Market access maintained
Cattle embryos and semen to Costa Rica	Livestock to Brunei	Cattle to Kuwait and Malaysia
Breeding sheep to Israel	Breeding cattle to China	Breeding cattle to New Caledonia
Breeding sheep and goats to Turkey	Feeder cattle to Vietnam	Breeding sheep and goats to the Philippines
Pigs to Uruguay	Seed potatoes to Thailand	Alpacas to New Zealand
Lychees to New Zealand	Mangoes to China	Horses to New Caledonia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam
Nectarines to Taiwan	Tasmanian cherries to Japan	Bees to the United States
		Wheat and barley to China
		Potatoes to Thailand

Opening, improving and maintaining Australia’s market access

To improve and maintain Australian producers’ access to international markets, Biosecurity Australia worked on more than 40 plant technical market matters and 95 animal technical market matters during 2008–09. As a result of this work, eight markets were gained, 14 improved and four maintained for plant products, and four markets were gained, three improved and 12 maintained for animal products (see Table 23).

Examples of market access outcomes achieved with the assistance of scientific and technical advice from Biosecurity Australia are summarised in Table 21.

Developing and reviewing biosecurity policies and procedures

Biosecurity Australia continued to develop and review biosecurity policies and procedures. Our primary focus has been making the transition to the new Biosecurity Services Group and a new Biosecurity Act with subordinate legislation.

In 2008–09 the first import risk analyses using the revised IRA process stemming from the 2007 amendment to the Quarantine Regulations were either completed or progressed significantly. They included those relating to ornamental finfish, with respect to the quarantine risks associated with iridoviruses.

Strategic involvement with international organisations

Biosecurity Australia continued its strategic involvement with international standards-setting organisations, including the World Organisation for Animal Health and the bodies established under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).

In 2008–09 we provided specific technical advice on animal health protocols, notably for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza and equine influenza.

Our considerable involvement in IPPC activities included the development and approval of many IPPC International Standards on Phytosanitary Measures. We also contributed to developing and implementing the policies, strategies and future work program of the organisation.

The adoption of more and better international standards means improved guidance on how quarantine measures should be developed and applied. Our active participation in IPPC technical panels and policy-setting bodies has benefited Australian exporters and increased the phytosanitary capacity of countries exporting to Australia, ensuring that Australia’s pest- and disease-free status is maintained. Regional workshops have increased the understanding and application of international standards within our region.

A Biosecurity Australia officer is the steward for an international standard on sampling (adopted during 2008) and is active in the development and clearance of international standards in the IPPC Standards Committee and in regional phytosanitary standards, the Asia Pacific Plant Protection Organisation and the Pacific Plant Protection Organisation.

Biosecurity Australia officers also play an active role on IPPC technical panels for fruit flies and phytosanitary treatments, as well as in the IPPC bodies developing the organisation’s business plan and future work program.

Outlook for 2009–10

On 1 July 2009, Biosecurity Australia became part of the interim Biosecurity Services Group. We will continue our present functions within the new organisation.

A new Biosecurity Bill and subordinate legislation are being developed. These are expected to be introduced into parliament in 2010 and 2011.
Import risk analysis will be a key function in 2009–10. Risk analyses in progress are listed in Table 22.

Scientific and technical support for Australia’s agricultural exports will also be an important focus of our work. We will continue to provide analyses and make representations to maintain market access for Australian exporters in a complex and challenging trading environment.

Biosecurity Australia performance

Table 22 Biosecurity Australia—contributions to biosecurity policy decisions and to the Biosecurity Australia output
Risk analyses in progress, 30 June 2009
Horses	IRA (outside the regulated process) commenced in September 2008.
Ornamental finfish (iridoviruses)	Draft IRA report issued in March 2009. Submissions from 18 stakeholders received.
Prawns and prawn products	Draft final IRA report sent to the Eminent Scientists Group in April 2009.
Hatching eggs of ducks	Draft policy review issued for stakeholder comment in March 2009.
Non-human primates	Preliminary work undertaken.
Rabies	Preliminary work undertaken.
Minimising transmissible spongiform encephalopathy risks in vaccines	Preliminary work undertaken.
Ruminant semen and embryos	Preliminary work undertaken on bluetongue virus in Europe.
Stone fruit from the US	Preparing the provisional draft IRA report for stone fruit from California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Visited stone fruit production areas in August 2008 to review management and eradication of plum pox virus.
Apples from the US	Issues paper for the IRA released in July 2008. Significant work completed on the draft IRA report, which will be released early in 2009–10.
Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous	Commenced risk assessment for a new bacterial pathogen affecting tomatoes, capsicum, tamarillos and other solanaceous plants in New Zealand. Visited production greenhouses in November 2008 to review control measures and management of the bacterium and its vector. A draft pest risk analysis report was released in May 2009. Stakeholder comments are being considered in the preparation of a final report.
Fresh Unshu mandarin fruit from Japan	Provisional final IRA report issued on 6 April 2009 for a 30-day appeal period.
Fresh capsicum (paprika) fruit from Korea	Provisional final IRA report issued on 18 May 2009 for a 30-day appeal period.
Fresh mango fruit from the Philippines to include the province of Davao del Sur of Mindanao Island	Risk assessment in progress for additional growing areas.
Fresh mangosteen from Indonesia	Commenced a scoping study of the import request for Indonesian mangosteens to determine whether a regulated or non‑regulated import risk analysis would apply.
Apples from China	Released issues paper on 8 July 2008 and draft IRA report on 21 January 2009 for 60-day consultation periods. Preparing revised draft IRA report for review by the Eminent Scientists Group.
Risk analyses in progress, 30 June 2009 (continued)
Table grapes from China	Announced commencement of regulated standard IRA on 18 August 2008.
Summerfruit from China	In progress.
Cherries from China	In progress.
Orchid seedlings from Taiwan	Pest risk analysis in progress.
North China Fruit Fly Pest Free Areas (FF-PFAs)	Report of the assessment of north China FF-PFA released on 6 March 2009 for 30-day stakeholder consultation.
Sudden oak death (review of risks posed by Phytophthora ramorum)	Protocol for importation of rose plants from affected countries finalised. Pest risk analysis for nursery stock of other host species in progress. Diagnostic methods being developed.
Phytophthora kernoviae	Pest risk analysis in progress.
Neonectria fuckeliana	Pest risk analysis in progress.
Guava rust caused by Puccinia psidii	Pest risk analysis in progress.
Potato spindle tuber viroid	Pest risk analysis in progress.
Taro	Significant progress on review of import conditions for fresh taro from all countries for human consumption.
Fresh baby ginger from Fiji	In progress.
Japanese (formerly Asian) gypsy moth	Progress on assessing the risk posed by the moth on vessels from Japan.
Biological Control Agent (BCA)	Substantial progress on preparing the BCA guidelines to align with the regulated import risk analysis (IRA) process.
Antarctic waste	Progress on risk analysis to import waste and associated soil excavated from a former tip site in the Thala Valley at Casey Station in the Australian Antarctic Territory.
Sulfuryl fluoride fumigation	Progress on assessing the suitability of sulfuryl fluoride on timber components in yachts for termites and other pests.
Ethanedinitrile	Preliminary work undertaken on ethanedinitrile as a quarantine fumigant of insect pests.
Risk analyses finalised, 2008–09
Chicken meat	Policy determination by Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine in March 2009 following completion of IRA.
Zoo rodents	Policy determination by Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine in July 2008 following completion of a policy review.
Philippines banana IRA	Policy determination by Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine in March 2009 permitted the importation of bananas from the Philippines conditional on the Philippines being able to demonstrate to Australia’s satisfaction that the risk management measures can be implemented on an ongoing basis under commercial conditions.
Apples from New Zealand	Provided input to Australia’s two written submissions, questions from the Expert Panel and two oral hearings in Geneva during 2008–09.
Californian table grapes	Completed review of policy for quarantine conditions for the grape vine aphid (phylloxera).
Fresh mango fruit from India	Final IRA report released on 14 August 2008.
Dried/semi-dried dates below 30% moisture content from Egypt	Risk assessment completed on 23 September 2008.
Didymosphenia geminata (Didymo)	Pest risk assessment for the invasive diatom Didymo.
Giant African snail	Plant Biosecurity provided advice to AQIS on the risk management strategies review of giant African snail.
Cut flowers devitalisation	Reviewed protocols for the devitalisation of imported propagable cut flowers and for audit testing of devitalised flowers.

Table 23 Biosecurity Australia—market access gained, improved and maintained for Australia’s exports, 2008–09
Market access gained
Cattle embryos and semen to Costa Rica	In February 2009, Costa Rica agreed to health conditions.
Breeding sheep to Israel	In August 2008, after extensive negotiations, health requirements were agreed with Israeli veterinary authorities.
Pigs to Uruguay	In March 2009, Uruguay advised that it accepted our proposed veterinary certificate.
Breeding sheep and goats to Turkey:	In September 2008, Turkey accepted our proposed health requirements.
Lychees to New Zealand	Access granted in November 2008.
Cherries to the US	Access granted for mainland cherries in January 2008.
Eucalypt logs to India	Access gained in February 2009 for Eucalyptus grandis logs.
Nectarines to Taiwan	In-principle agreement for fruit fly cold treatment at 3°C to regain access to Taiwan.
Palm seed for sowing to Paraguay	Access gained July 2008.
Lucerne seed to Ecuador and Peru	Access gained April 2009.
Millet seed to Bolivia	Access gained March 2009.
Rooted olive cuttings to Argentina	Access gained November 2008.
Market access improved
Livestock to Brunei	Acceptance of the bluetongue conditions that allows freedom from clinical disease.
Breeding cattle to China	Negotiated revised improved health requirements with visiting Chinese delegation. China has accepted Australia’s bluetongue virus zone system and freedom from bovine tuberculosis.
Feeder cattle to Vietnam	Vietnam accepted our proposed changes to the health certificate. Trade has occurred intermittently for many years.
Citrus to China	Signed improved protocol (12 June 2009).
Mangoes to China	Signed improved protocol (12 June 2009).
Citrus to Taiwan	Approval of cold disinfestation trial at 3°C (17 October 2008).
Fruit fly treatment for produce to Taiwan	Improved in-transit cold treatment conditions accepted (1 March 2009).
Vegetables to Taiwan	Taiwan removed Australia from the list of host countries for Ditylenchus destructor (potato rot nematode) and thus the need for inspection and treatment.
Market access improved (continued)
Seed potatoes to Thailand	South Australia accepted as an additional export area.
Fresh Tasmanian cherries to Japan	Market access conditions improved through non-fumigation protocol acceptance.
Fresh Queensland citrus fruit to the United Arab Emirates	Improved import conditions for citrus fruit from Queensland to the United Arab Emirates.
Japan and Fruit Fly Pest Free Area (FF-PFA) seasonal freedom	Gained acceptance of seasonal freedom for Greater Sunraysia FF-PFA with Japan. Acceptance by Japan for fruit grown in one PFA to be packed in another PFA.
Cherries to Taiwan	In-principle acceptance of 1–3°C cold disinfestation treatment for Queensland fruit fly.
Barley to Mauritius	Negotiated higher tolerance level for ergot.
Canola to Bangladesh	Negotiated acceptance of a 3% tolerance level for extraneous material in canola for consumption to Bangladesh.
Wheat to Egypt	Egypt recognised tolerance for Claviceps purpurea (ergot of rye).
Carpet grass and sorghum seed to Brazil	Brazil removed additional declaration permits.
Market access maintained
Cattle to Kuwait	Provided information on Australia’s bovine tuberculosis free status and controls to maintain current export conditions.
Horses to Malaysia	Agreed to remove additional equine influenza requirements.
Cattle to Malaysia	Negotiated that an additional requirement for Q fever not be included in the protocol.
Horses to New Caledonia	New Caledonia has recognised Australia’s case for freedom from equine influenza and has withdrawn testing requirements. New vaccination history requirements are uncertifiable.
Breeding cattle to New Caledonia	New Caledonia agreed to revised conditions in May 2009.
Alpacas to New Zealand	Provided information on hydatids in alpacas to NZ as part of its consultation on a new import health standard.
Horses to the Philippines	Agreed to remove additional equine influenza requirements.
Breeding sheep and goats to the Philippines	As requested by the Philippines government, provided information on BTV 7 occurrence in Australia to prevent disruptions to trade.
Horses to Singapore	Singapore has lifted additional requirements for Australian horses that were introduced after the equine influenza outbreak in 2007.
Market access maintained (continued)
Horses to the United Arab Emirates	The United Arab Emirates has agreed to remove equine influenza testing from permanent, temporary and transiting conditions.
Bees to the US	Contributed to updates to media releases on continued export of honey bees to the US under amended conditions arising from detection of Asian honey bees around Cairns.
Horses to Vietnam	Vietnam accepted an AQIS health certificate to accompany Australian horses.
Wheat and barley to China	Current protocol for wheat and barley renewed for a further three years on 13 April 2009.
Potato markets	Numerous markets maintained following an outbreak of potato cyst nematode in Victoria.
Potatoes (processed and ware) to Thailand	Market maintained following significant changes in import regulations.
Potatoes to Mauritius	Maintained access from Victoria on the basis of freedom from potato cyst nematode.
Other notable achievements
Fresh kiwifruit to India	Significant progress towards resuming trade of fresh Australian kiwifruit to India.
Fresh Tasmanian cherries to Korea	Continued to seek access for Tasmanian cherries to Korea. Pest risk analysis issued by Korea in May 2009.
Seed potatoes to Thailand	Seeking expanded market access for Australian seed potatoes to include New South Wales and Tasmania as new source areas
North China Fruit Fly Pest Free Areas (FF-PFA)	Report of the assessment of north China FF-PFAs released 6 March 2009 for a 30-day stakeholder consultation. Eight submissions are under consideration.
Summerfruit and cherries to China:	Advancing on market access: China has identified pests and management issues for which further information is required for progress on their pest risk analyses.
Table grapes to China	China provided a draft pest risk analysis report for comment in June 2009.
Apples to China	Proposed amendments to revise Tasmanian apple protocol resubmitted in June 2009.
Carrots to Taiwan	Progressed regaining access for carrots into Taiwan with a draft protocol for the establishment of pest-free places of production for the burrowing nematode on 23 December 2008.
Summerfruit and cherries to Taiwan	Successfully completed three verification cold disinfestation trials on nectarine, cherries and plums against fruit flies for Taiwan (November 2008 – January 2009).

Previous page | Contents | Next page

Last reviewed:
08 Oct 2009

Contact:
Email Corporate Communications
About Corporate Communications and Contact details
Media Inquiries