INDUSTRY OPINION Measures to control the brown marmorated stink bug A series of enhanced anti-stink bug measures are set to provide added challenges to industry, writes Andrew Crawford AS MANY READERS KNOW, THE response to the brown marmorated stink bug 2018-<strong>2019</strong> season by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources exposed deficiencies in processes. Since the implementation of the BMSB emergency measures, FTA members witnessed a deterioration of service levels across the department, with key import services such as bookings and inspections most affected. A DEFICIENCY SUBMISSION Based on member feedback, FTA provided a submission to identify those deficiencies and provide a clear list of recommendations and considerations for the inspector-general of biosecurity. While many recommendations related to the department’s staffing levels, others sought to optimise and expand on existing initiatives, such as the Approved Arrangement scheme, the 19.2. Automatic Entry Processing for Commodities, Cargo Online Lodgement System and the Highly Compliant Importer Project. Strong, fair and consistent compliance is essential to underpin these systems and arrangements to allow industry an increased responsibility to manage biosecurity risks. STRONG COMPLIANCE RECORD FTA also advocated that increased responsibility should be given to those that have a strong compliance record. We now know that the upcoming <strong>2019</strong>-2020 season will be expanded to include more target risk countries. The list of countries includes the same as 2018/19, however another 23 have been added. The entire list is as follows: United States of America, Czech Republic, France, Canada, Georgia, Russia, Albania, Germany, Serbia, Andorra, Greece, Slovakia, Armenia, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Azerbaijan, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Belgium, Liechtenstein, Romania, Bosnia Andrew Crawford, head of border and biosecurity, Freight & Trade Alliance and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Spain, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Turkey, Croatia, The Netherlands, Japan (heightened vessel surveillance will be the measure applied). UPDATE ON BIOSECURITY LEVY It now has been confirmed that the start date of the contentious biosecurity levy has been delayed. In the recent Federal budget, it was announced that the implementation date of the biosecurity levy announced in last year’s budget has been changed from 1 July <strong>2019</strong> to 1 September <strong>2019</strong>. This delay is to allow the Industry Steering Committee (of which Paul Zalai, one of FTA’s directors, is a member) the opportunity to make recommendations to the minister. The quantum and method of collection of the biosecurity levy could well be impacted by a change of government. BACKGROUND The Biosecurity Import Levy was announced in the 2018 Federal Budget with the aim to collect $325m over three years from a start date of 1 July <strong>2019</strong>. Since that time there has been significant controversy surrounding the implementation of the levy, ultimately leading to the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources commissioning an independent review by Pegasus Economics. Its report was publicly released on Friday 29 March <strong>2019</strong>. FTA was privileged to be appointed by the minister to participate with eight other industry representatives in the committee led by an independent chair (David Trebeck) and supported by Pegasus Economics. FTA will continue to be heavily involved in discussions and planning and will provide readers with further updates as they emerge. MANDATORY OFFSHORE TREATMENT The other significant difference for next season could be the introduction of mandatory offshore treatment of target high risk goods shipped in sealed six-sided containers, as LCL (less than container load) and FAK (freight of all kinds). This was the department’s preferred position for 2018/19 and FTA and others advocated against this due to several commercial considerations. FTA will continue to work with the department on this. SAFEGUARDING ARRANGEMENTS The department is developing policies to allow for certain goods and supply chains to be recognised under safeguarding arrangements for the <strong>2019</strong>–20 season. A trial by invitation will be conducted of the arrangements. We expect more detailed information in the next few months. Ruth Swan; FTA 16 <strong>May</strong> <strong>2019</strong> thedcn.com.au
Discover a partner you can rely on Contact us to discuss your container supply chain needs. www..indersadelaidecontainerterminal.com.au | +61 8 8447 0611
Change language