Shipping Industry Advice Notice 04-09

Advice to Agents 04/09

Cessation of recycling as an AQIS approved option for overseas vessels

Shipping Agents/Operators:

AQIS has been developing a Waste Management policy that will provide a nationally consistent approach to the management of quarantine waste on overseas vessels. Biosecurity Australia has been involved in providing AQIS with appropriate scientific advice.

The proposed policy does not include guidelines relating to the recycling of goods from overseas vessels. This is a body of work that will be considered once the Waste Management policy is implemented.

At some Australian ports AQIS has been facilitating the recycling of goods from some overseas vessels, mainly cruise vessels. The procedures implemented by AQIS are based on guidelines that were previously developed and approved without advice from Biosecurity Australia. In the absence of scientific advice a decision has been made to discontinue this practice effective 1 January 2010.

Please do not hesitate to contact your AQIS Regional Shipping Manager should you require any additional information.

Wayne Terpstra
National Program Manager—Seaports

10 December 2009