Interim Inspector General of Biosecurity

Introduction

As part of its preliminary response to the Review of Australia's Quarantine and Biosecurity Arrangements (the Beale Review), the Australian Government agreed to establish a statutory office of the Inspector General of Biosecurity. The role would be established under new biosecurity legislation, which is currently being developed.

In advance of this enabling legislation interim arrangements are in place. On 1 July 2009, the government appointed Dr Kevin Dunn as the Interim Inspector General of Biosecurity (IIGB) to provide independent assurance of the performance and appropriateness of biosecurity systems and risk management measures that are the responsibility of the biosecurity divisions of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

The IIGB, in consultation with the Minister and key DAFF stakeholders, develops an indicative work program. The Minister may also request the IIGB to undertake specific reviews. The indicative work program may be adjusted depending on the number of requests made by the Minister and/or changes in priorities to address emerging issues.

2012-13 proposed work program

The following activities are expected to be undertaken as part of the IIGB annual work program for 2012-13.

Minister requested reviews

  1. Paralytic shellfish toxin in abalone (exports)
  2. Importation of undeclared meat products from Korea 

Annual work program activities

  1. Quarantine operations risk management (commodities) – to examine the effectiveness of biosecurity risk management measures for the importation of freshwater and marine ornamental fish
  2. Pre-border operations – to assess the performance of biosecurity risk management measures for the importation of animal breeding material
  3. Quarantine operations risk management (commodities) – to assess the performance of biosecurity risk management measures for the importation of uncooked and cooked pig meat
  4. Quarantine operations risk management (pathways) – to assess the performance of biosecurity risk management measures for international mail and air cargo with a focus on mail orders and internet purchases
  5. Offshore horse PEQ inspections – ongoing assessment to determine necessity of IIGB desktop audits and/or overseas inspection audits
  6. Post–arrival quarantine inspections – the IIGB proposes to inspect post–arrival quarantine procedures for horses at the Eastern Creek Quarantine Station and Werribee Quarantine Centre prior to the Spring Racing Carnival.

2012-13 completed reviews and audits

Date Title Objective

December 2012

The objective of this review was to undertake desktop audits to assess the approval processes for all current Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry approved offshore pre–export quarantine facilities used for importing horses to Australia.

December 2012 

The objective of this audit was to observe the operations and procedures at the Eastern Creek Animal Quarantine Station.

December 2012

The objective of this audit was to observe the operations and procedures at the Newminster Werribee Post–Arrival Quarantine facility at the Werribee Racecourse.

2011-12 completed reviews and audits

Date Title Objective
June 2012 This incident review was undertaken to examine:
  • the factors that led to a consignment of bagged soil (declared as fertiliser) being released into Australia
  • the factors that led to interception of a subsequent consignment of soil at the border, that was also declared as fertiliser and came from the same supplier
  • the biosecurity risks (excluding analysis of samples) associated with soil, plant and animal material and microorganisms
  • whether Australia’s procedures and operations need improvement to mitigate the risk of such biosecurity risks recurring
  Annual Report 2011-12 An overview of key IIGB achievements and audit activities for 2011-12.

2010-11 completed reviews and audits

Date Title Objective
June 2011 The desktop review examined the outcomes of reports and other records prepared by DAFF in relation to horse pre-export operations and procedures in Japan to provide feedback in relation to any issues. It also included a review of the relevant import certification from a consignment following the resumption of imports from Japan.
July 2011 This audit examined the performance of the systems that DAFF has in place to detect and mitigate biosecurity risks before they get to Australia's border. This audit looked specifically at risk management measures for pests and diseases of plants that could be introduced into Australia via imported nursery stock.
July 2011 This audit examined the performance of the systems that DAFF has in place to manage biosecurity risks along certain identified entry pathways for citrus canker.
August 2011 Summary report to the Minister of the IIGB visit to the United States of America and Canada This report provides a summary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, of the IIGB visit to the United States of America and Canada
Annual Report 2010–11 An overview of key IIGB achievements and audit activities for 2010–11.

Prawn consignment incident review

On 28 September 2010 the IIGB commenced a review of what caused a consignment of imported raw peeled prawns that tested positive for the prawn disease White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) to be erroneously released.

The IIGB's review was in two parts: the first was an examination of the inspection, testing and release from quarantine processes which resulted in the release; and the second assessed the likelihood of the consignment entering higher risk pathways and then causing WSSV to be established in Australia.

The IIGB has provided his full report to the minister.

In summary, his review finds that:

  • human error and/or oversight was the most likely cause that led to prawns being released
  • under existing clearance arrangements, a similar error could occur again
  • there is an extremely low likelihood of the raw peeled prawns entering high risk pathways and a negligible likelihood of them causing WSSV to establish in Australia.

A range of measures to reduce the risk of this happening again have been recommended in this review.

Documents

The IIGB's transmission letter and incident review, as well as the Department's of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's response to the review can be found below.

2009-10 completed reviews and audits

Date Title Objective
November 2009 Horse health certifications The objective of this audit was to assess and check compliance of import health certification with the requirements for importing horses to Australia. It focused on certification for a number of consignments of stallions.
May 2010 The objective of the audit was to observe regional office compliance with quarantine surveillance requirements for horses imported to Australia and, if necessary make recommendations to address any identified control weaknesses.
June 2010 This audit examined the discharge of obligations by the department (DAFF) in relation to maintenance and update of the Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan.
June 2010 Sandown audit review To independently assess the outcomes of the internal audit undertaken by the AQIS of the Sandown PAQ facility.
June 2010 This audit examined the biosecurity management of quarantine waste from international vessels at Australian seaports.
July 2010 This audit focused on the compliance of the Singapore Turf Club (STC), an AQIS approved PEQ facility and also examined the procedures for transporting the horse consignments from the STC to the airport and loading onto the aircraft.
Annual Report 2009–10 An overview of key IIGB achievements and audit activities for 2009–10.
The following activities were undertaken by the Inspector General of Horse Importation.
Date Title Objective
April 2009 Report of the Interim Inspector General of Horse Importation This report details the key activities and findings of the Interim Inspector General of Horse Importation.
Last reviewed:
08 Apr 2013
Contact:
Email Communications
About Communications and Contact details
Media Inquiries