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eBulletin No. 01-2009 January

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Cargo Management eBulletin—No. 01-2009 (January)

Industry and AQIS act quickly—Post quarantine detection (PQD) in Tasmania

AQIS has worked closely with a Launceston hotel and conference venue to avert a potentially serious borer infestation from spreading out into the community.

A container of furniture from China with a valid fumigation certificate was delivered to the hotel, where the furniture was unpacked and the container returned to the transport yard for de-hiring.

One month later three staff members were assembling the chairs and found borer holes, frass and a live larva. They contacted the northern Tasmanian Quarantine Office immediately and a quarantine officer arrived within the hour.

To contain the risk the furniture was loaded into a shipping container pending scientific assessment of the risks posed. Photos of the larva were emailed to AQIS Entomology in Victoria where it was quickly identified as an exotic Longicorn beetle—a wood borer of significance to the forestry industry.

If the beetle was introduced to Australia it has the potential to cause damage to pine tree timber used for construction and affect Australia’s exports of timber. The damage is caused by larvae tunnelling in the wood which significantly reduces the quality of the timber produced. This would have devastating effects on Australia’s forest and construction industries.

The hotel staff's actions highlight the value in maintaining strong co-operative relationships between industry clients and AQIS. The response to this incident shows what can be achieved by conscientious reporting, speedy and accurate identification of potential risks to Australia's environment and industries. In an effort to further protect our environment and industries, AQIS works in partnership with state and territory governments to contain, identify and manage reports of exotic pests and diseases.

Review of the Broker Accreditation Scheme (BAS)

Import Clearance is currently reviewing the Broker Accreditation Scheme to align the scheme with new documentation policies that were finalised at the end of 2008.

As part of this review the three non commodity schemes which includes the Containerised Cargo Clearance (CCC) for Full Container Load (FCL/X), Automatic Entry Processing (AEP) for Full Container Loads (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL) Packing Schemes, will be combined into one scheme. This will simplify the administration and the interpretation of scheme requirements for both industry and AQIS. The renewal process involving the revised documentation is due to commence in May 2009.

As in previous years, accredited persons training will be provided online and will be available in May 2009. The training will include material which provides participants with an understanding of the revised scheme and associated new documentation polices. Further advice on exact dates will be provided to industry in early March.

The review is also providing an opportunity to examine the effectiveness of the existing random referral arrangements and the BAS sanctions policy. Industry input is being coordinated through the AQIS/Industry Cargo Consultative Committee (AICCC) Secretariat with AQIS seeking views on alternative options to the current arrangements.

Current signatories to the BAS will shortly be sent drafts of the revised scheme documents. Recipients are encouraged to provide feedback on the revised documents and to familiarise themselves with the revised format.

For further information on the BAS review or BAS training requirements please contact the National Compliance Agreement Coordinator by email at brokeraccred@aqis.gov.au or the AICCC Secretariat by email at aiccc@aiccc.com

AICCC Meeting #51 held in Sydney 10 December 2008

This meeting marked the 15th anniversary of the AQIS/Industry Cargo Consultative Committee (AICCC). The committee was established in December 1993 when Mr. Paul Hickey was the Executive Director of AQIS and he is now the Quarantine Exports Advisory Council (QEAC) representative on the AICCC.

Mr Rob Delane the new Executive Director of AQIS attended part of the meeting.

The major discussion item of the meeting was the strategic direction of the AICCC which had been established in 2002, reviewed and updated in 2002 and 2006. Key considerations discussed were Terms of Reference, Co-Regulation, Financial Issues, IT Development, Communications, Programmes Delivery/Evaluation and Operational Issues, AQIS/Industry Interface and the Secretariat/Liaison Office role.

As a result of the discussions and taking into account  issues arising from the Beale Review that may affect some of the current roles of the AICCC in  changing biosecurity /quarantine and business environments some small working groups will be convened in early 2009 to prepare papers on some of the key considerations of the strategic direction such as finance, co-regulation, program performance measures etc.

Other issues discussed were the progress of the Import Conditions database (ICON) tender evaluation process, the National Appointment System (NAS) project, continuing discussions with the Australian Customs Service (ACS) regarding IT systems, Quarantine Operational Framework (QOF) progress and status and an update on Import Clearance Effectiveness (ICE) outcomes. Members were also updated on the status of major projects for the Quarantine Operations Division including the documentary
assessment project,  Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS) and the Mobile On the Job Office (MOJO) rollout.

Financial issues of all programmes forming part of the Cargo Management and Shipping Branch were discussed in detail and a major undertaking is a fee review which will take into account recommendations of the Beale Review as well as changing parameters in risk management, commerce and logistics.

For further information on the AICCC meetings please contact the AICCC Secretariat by email at
aiccc@aiccc.com or on 02 9700 7522.

Beale Review—Quarantine and Biosecurity Review report

The Quarantine and Biosecurity Review’s much anticipated report 'One Biosecurity: A Working Partnership' was released on 18 December 2008.

The review panel made 84 recommendations for the future of Australia's biosecurity system with the government having agreed in principle to all 84 recommendations. The report recognises that Australia's biosecurity system has worked well. However, it notes the ever-increasing pressures on the biosecurity system such as the threats associated with globalisation and climate change which require close consideration and attention.

Key recommendations include to:

  • establish a new national authority which brings together the major functions of Biosecurity Australia (BA), the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and parts of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
  • establish a new biosecurity standards commission to assess the biosecurity risk of imports, with greater emphasis on risks to human health and the environment
  • develop new biosecurity legislation to replace the Quarantine Act which is a century old
  • appoint an Inspector-General of Biosecurity with broad powers to audit and investigate the Authority's work
  • establish a new council of experts to advise government
  • improve coordination between states, territories, industry and the Commonwealth to better monitor biosecurity after goods and people enter the country, not just at the border.

Representatives from AQIS, BA and Product Integrity, Animal and Plant Health (PIAPH)  are already considering early alignment opportunities. The real challenge now is to successfully operate the  business we do every day and build a new one.

The reforms arising from the recommendations of the Beale Review are aimed at strengthening Australia's biosecurity system and improving governance arrangements, transparency and timeliness of biosecurity service delivery across the continuum of quarantine. Subject to full costing by department, the changes are expected to be implemented over a period of time at an estimated cost of about $260 million per annum and include substantial focus on off-shore risk management activities.

These additional costs will be brought about through enhancements to intelligence, monitoring and surveillance. However, improvements to the biosecurity system will result in more efficient resource applications in some activity areas such as a move away from current mandated intervention targets to a risk return approach which may bring eventual cost reductions.

Cost recovery arrangements 2009/2010

The two relevant recommendations of the Beale Review relating to cost recovery are No 76 and 77, which read:

76  Programs that currently use cost recovery should continue in this mode but charges for like activities should be aggregated, leading to a significant reduction in the number of individual charges.

77  In developing cost recovery arrangements, the National Biosecurity Authority should consult with business groups, but have the ultimate responsibility of recommending the responsible Minister a cost recovery package that will support the provision of an effective  and efficient regulatory function including:

  1. adequate and long-term investment in infrastructure, including information technology and information services
  2. appropriate funding for staff training
  3. the costs of auditing pre-border and border Biosecurity certification
  4. the cost diagnosing a proportion of interceptions to inform a risk-return approach to activities.

The Import Clearance and Seaport programs have begun the development of initiatives aimed at gaining future efficiencies and increasing effectiveness in the context of the Quarantine and Biosecurity Arrangements review.

At this early stage, the financial implications of the reforms and related initiatives, and the speed at which they are implemented have not been fully determined.

Uncertainty also exists in regard to future revenue which the program raises through the existing cost recovery arrangements. Since most of the revenue generated for the program is dependent on trade volume, the current world-wide economic downturn is likely to result in a significant reduction in revenue, particularly for the second half of the 2008/09 financial year. The implication of the downturn will be a greater shortfall in cost recovery for the program which needs to be addressed through a range of measures, including a review of fees and charges.

In light of the need to consider charges in the context of cost recovery, and of the initiatives aimed at strengthening quarantine arrangements, the Import Clearance and Seaports programs are considering adjustments to all relevant quarantine service fees to continue to meet the cost recovery objectives of the programs. 

Australia Day Achievement Award for Import Clearance staff

Patricia Thornhill, Lindy Cayzer and Michaeli O’Brien were selected to receive a Quarantine and Exports Advisory Council (QEAC) Australia Day Achievement award for the effective management of an incipient quarantine breach with exotic weed seed contamination on new cars imported from Asia last year. They received the awards at a ceremony held in Canberra on 22 January 2009.

AICCC Secretariat Hart Krtschil also received a commendation for his industry liaison efforts with the seed contamination on new car imports and AICCC member Tony Beaver received a commendation for his ongoing work in facilitating communications between AQIS and the food importing industry.

Live hairy larvae alerts AQIS

The Australia's Most Unwanted campaign raises awareness amongst the cargo and shipping industry and frontline staff of the top nine unwanted exotic pests. It is designed for industry to participate in the 'Quarantine—a shared responsibility' initiative to help minimise the risk of exotic pests and diseases entering Australia.

Victorian AQIS officer, Darren Zaina, has proven how effective the campaign is when he successfully identified a live Khapra beetle in a packet of coriander seeds.

'I noticed perfectly rounded borer holes in some of the coriander seed packets. I cut open one of the packets, sieved some of the seeds and found live hairy larvae and beetles, and even dead beetle casings,' Darren explained.

'The Australia's Most Unwanted posters on the wall in our office definitely helped me identify this pest.'

The Khapra beetle is featured in the Australia's Most Unwanted campaign as it poses a serious risk to Australia's grain storage industry and could jeopardise our export grain markets. It feeds on dried plant and animal products, with a preference for grain and stored products.

If you find any Khapra beetles or any pests featured in the campaign, make sure you SEE. SECURE. REPORT and call AQIS on 1800 020 504.

To order copies of the posters or for more information on the Australia's Most Unwanted campaign contact AQIS Communication by email or telephone 02 6272 5366.

Topics covered in recent eBulletins

Recent Cargo Management eBulletins have included the following topics: Electronic Lodgement of Import Documents, Implementation of AFAS in the Philippines, ICE Report, Bark on Timber Packaging, Dunnage, Timber and Wooden Commodities, Onshore Fumigation Scheme, AFAS PNG, changes to Imported Machinery Permit Issuing, Biological Import Permit Approvals, AICCC/IWGQ Website Development, Recent Import Clearance Detections.

Questions, comments and suggestions

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about the Cargo Management eBulletin please do not hesitate to email us or the AICCC secretariat.

Summary of documents and alerts released by AQIS Cargo Management in December 2008 and January 2009

Reference number

Document

 Overview
1 Notice to Industry 30/2008-09 Electronic Lodgement of Import Documentation
2 Notice to Industry 31/2008-09 Opening Hours for AQIS Import Clearance Offices in Major Ports and Canberra during the Christmas/New Year period
3 Notice to Industry 32/2008-09 AQIS Central Queensland District (Bundaberg/Gladstone) Offices
4 Notice to Industry 33/2008-09 Safety of imported pet food
5 Notice to Industry 34/2008-09 Acceptance of AQIS issued ‘clearance letters’ without expiry dates
6 Notice to Industry 35/2008-09 ICS Profile Survey
7 Notice to Industry 1/2009 Revision of AQIS Giant African Snail (GAS) Risk Management Strategies
8 Public Quarantine Alert 0596 Changes to the Quarantine Proclamation 1998 Permitted Seeds List - December 2008
9 Public Quarantine Alert 0597 Christmas Hampers
10 Public Quarantine Alert 0598 Revised conditions for glasshouse grown tomatoes and capsicums from New Zealand
11 Public Quarantine Alert 0580 Introduction of eLodgement for Applications to Import Live Animals and Reproductive Material
12 Public Quarantine Alert 0600 AQIS Bundaberg & Gladstone district office changes
13 Public Quarantine Alert 0601 Safety of imported pet foods
14 Public Quarantine Alert 0194 Government certification - format requirements
15 Public Quarantine Alert 0021 Manufacturer's declarations - format requirements
16 Public Quarantine Alert 0602 Changes to the approved treatments for soil and water sample
17 Public Quarantine Alert 0528 AQIS Import Clearance Industry Notices 2008-09 published on the AQIS website
18 Public Quarantine Alert 0583 Acceptance of AQIS issued 'Clearance Letters' without expiry dates
 

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry seeks to publish its work to the highest professional standards. The Commonwealth does not warrant the accuracy or currency of the information which comes from third parties. Readers should rely on their own skill and judgement in applying any information to particular issues or circumstances. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Commonwealth disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, expenses and costs incurred by any person arising out of using or relying on any part of the information provided in this eBulletin. 



Last reviewed: 31 Aug 2009
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