About DAFF

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 is independent of the biosecurity divisions of DAFF and reports to the Australian Government Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

2010-11 audit work program

The following activities were undertaken as part of the IIGB audit work program for 2010-11.
Date	Title	Objective
June 2011	Horse pre-export operations and procedures at Japan desktop review activity PDF [35kb] Horse pre-export operations and procedures at Japan desktop review activity Word [270kb]	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	Offshore operations audit (risk management measures for the importation of nursery stock) PDF [950kb] Offshore operations audit (risk management measures for the importation of nursery stock) Word [674kb] DAFF response	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	Quarantine operations risk managements (pathways) audit (citrus canker) PDF [1.2mb] Quarantine operations risk managements (pathways) audit (citrus canker) Word [641kb] DAFF response	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 audit work program

The following activities were undertaken as part of the IIGB audit work program for 2009-10.
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	Quarantine surveillance following post-arrival quarantine for specified horses after importation to Australia PDF [868kb] Quarantine surveillance following post-arrival quarantine for specified horses after importation to Australia Word [168kb]	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	Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN) PDF [682kb] Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN) Word [154kb]	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	Management of quarantine waste from international vessels at Australian seaports PDF [780kb] Management of quarantine waste from international vessels at Australian seaports Word [205kb]	This audit examined the biosecurity management of quarantine waste from international vessels at Australian seaports.
July 2010	Audit of Equine Pre-export Procedures in Singapore PDF [914kb] Audit of Equine Pre-export Procedures in Singapore Word [155kb]	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:
26 Sep 2011

Contact:
Email Communications
About Communications and Contact details
Media Inquiries