Proposed 2019-2020 Measures for BMSB

Due to the rapid expansion of the  Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) throughout Europe and North America, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has strengthened the measures and increased the target high risk countries from 9 to 32 for the upcoming risk season from 1st September 2019 to 30th April 2020.

The proposed measures are listed in the DAWR 2019-2020 BMSB Proposed Measures Factsheet

The proposed lists of target high risk and target risk goods and tariff chapters is available on agriculture.gov.au/bmsb

In summary,Target High Risk goods will require mandatory treatment. Target Risk Goods will not require mandatory treatment.  Both Target High Risk and Target Risk Goods will be subject to increased onshore intervention through random inspection.  Mandatory offshore treatment of Target High Risk Goods is being proposed for LCL (less than container load) and FAK (freight of all kinds) consignments.  The mandatory offshore treatment of target high risk goods shipped as Break Bulk, including open-top and flat-rack containers remains unchanged.  FCL (full container load) consignments with Target High Risk goods can continue to be treated offshore or onshore at the container level only.  The treatment options remain the same and the Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme for approved offshore providers will continue for the 2019-20 season.  The heightened surveillance of all roll-on/roll-off (RO-RO) and general cargo vessels will continue.

In addition, the DAWR is working to develop policies to allow a trial by invitation that would enable certain vessels to be exempt from mandatory inspection and certain goods and supply chains to be recognised under safeguarding arrangements for the 2019-20 season.

Further information will be made available at agriculture.gov.au/bmsb but if you have any questions about your shipments during this upcoming risk period, please contact the team at Clarke Global Logistics on 9854 3000 or email enquiry@clarkeglobal.com.au