Biosecurity Reform Advocacy Update




Further to our newsflash update, IFCBAA calls for biosecurity reform and short term solutions, IFCBAA representatives Paul Damkjaer, CEO, Zoran Kostadinoski, Head of Border & Biosecurity, Colin Brame, IFCBAA Director / Fellow and John Chambers, IFCBAA Fellow recently met with the First Assistant Secretary, Biosecurity Operations, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department) and Senior Executives to further discuss the biosecurity system issues and performance levels in key department divisions that impact on trade facilitation at the border.

IFCBAA welcomed the opportunity for a bilateral meeting with the department to discuss current pain points and future collaboration.

IFCBAA representatives discussed what the department described as a perfect storm of issues created by the impacts of COVID, an unprecedented increase in imported cargo volumes, trade and shipping disruptions, a shortage of quality sea containers, and a changed pest and disease risks status that sees Australia facing multiple biosecurity risks on multiple fronts. Global trade disruption has seen the arrival of additional contaminated containers we would not ordinally see resulting in an increase of detection's, including Khapra Beetle – one of the most potentially devastating pests for our grain industry.

COVID has seen major impacts on departmental resources. An example was provided where-in one day the department had 70 staff directed into isolation in Sydney, seriously impacting delivery of assessment and inspection services.  Work on reform activities were also affected. 

IFCBAA acknowledged the stress this was causing on both sides, particularly in Victoria and New South Wales and regretted that at times this had resulted in heightened frustration by industry.

IFCBAA noted the work underway to address service issues and commended the department for embarking on initiatives that relate to cargo operational reform and innovation initiatives. The deployment of resources and working overtime along with other internal initiatives has assisted the department to clear the backlog and remain within clients service standards as the industry experienced up to 9 days of delays in assessments and some delays in booking inspections.

The department advised that is always looking for ways in which it can continuously improve its client service and business processes while maintaining or strengthening biosecurity controls.

In addition to larger scale reform agenda under the Biosecurity 2030 Strategy, three initiatives are being explored by a small Tiger Team to accelerate the assessment and clearance of imports and reduce the costs to industry. These include proposals for further expansion of the Automatic Entry Processing (AEP) Class 19 approved arrangement, allow industry to undertake rural tailgate inspections, third parties to collect imported food samples, and CAPEC members to undertake routine inspections.

In the event multiple opportunities combine, there are likely to be greater industry savings and opportunities for the department to redirect resource effort toward higher risk areas and activities.

Some of the discussed short term solutions to action include:

  • Explore AEPCOMM expansion, training, capability, and options to incentivise usage including modified fees
  • Review pressure points for the Client Contact Group, and options for escalation for customs brokers and support staff
  • Resources utilisation, working overtime and/or weekends to clean up backlog when required to remain within client service standards


Cargo Operational Reforms and Innovation Initiatives

The department has been exploring ways to improve assessment and inspection services at the border to ensure a less congested and costly biosecurity system.

A number of innovation initiatives are also currently being undertaken by the department to assist it to meet current and future challenges. Several programs have been established to achieve this goal.

  • Streamlining document assessment through world first automation technology and system enhancements
  • Proof of concept (POC) trial of new arrangements for imported cargo – more information HERE .
  • Biosecurity Portal
  • Virtual inspections Verification trials for cameras to detect biosecurity risks
  • Pre-screening of passenger baggage
  • Biosecurity Algorithms, Software and Networking
  • Seed Detection
  • COVID-19 Detector Dog Feasibility Project
  • National eDNA Testing Program

For more information on these initiatives refer to the extract from the recent Department’s Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC) where IFCBAA is represented, more information HERE .

The department advised IFCBAA of a large project underway in terms of Workforce Capability and how the department captures and provides information to the workforce to ensure officers are deployed in the most efficient and effective way.

The department is focusing on the end-to-end journey and how they are brought together. IFCBAA welcomes this program of work that seeks to support the regulatory practitioners to identify as skilled and professional regulators, capable of making lawful, reasonable, transparent and accountable regulatory decisions. More information HERE .

Thanks for your understanding, ongoing patience and cooperation as we continue to work with the department on the biosecurity reform.

IFCBAA will keep members informed of future developments along the biosecurity reform journey.


IFCBAA Team

23 December 2021