In response to the rapid expansion of BMSB throughout Europe and North America, the Department of Agriculture (the department), has implement heightened seasonal measures to manage the risk of BMSB from entering and establishing in Australia during the 2019-20 BMSB risk season.
For the 2019-20 BMSB risk season, heightened biosecurity measures will apply to:
- certain goods manufactured in, or shipped from target risk countries, and/or
- vessels that berth at, load or tranship from target risk countries
from 1 September 2019 and that arrive in Australian territory by 31 May 2020 (inclusive).
Target high risk goods shipped between 1 September and 30 April need to be treated, and will be referred for intervention if they arrive by 31 May 2020.
For goods that are shipped prior to 30 April and arrive after 31 May, they may be subject to intervention as required.
For further information on the 2019-20 seasonal measures please visit the BMSB webpage.
Offshore Treatment Providers Scheme
The department and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries introduced a joint Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme aligning treatment options, rates and compliance requirements for the 2019-20 BMSB risk season.
All BMSB treatment providers in target risk countries must be registered under the scheme to be able to conduct BMSB treatments. Treatments conducted by an unapproved treatment provider in a target risk country will not be recognised as valid and will be referred for intervention on arrival.
Applications to become a new provider or to renew as a provider under the 2019-20 Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme can be found on the Offshore BMSB treatments website. Treatment providers that were registered during the 2018-19 BMSB season must complete a renewal application for the 2019-20 season.
Offshore treatment providers are being published on the BMSB Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme webpage as they are approved. Offshore treatment providers approved under the scheme must report all BMSB treatment certification issued using the department’s new Offshore BMSB Treatment Certificate Form. Further information on how to lodge the form is available on the 2019-20 BMSB season lodgement page.
For further information regarding BMSB seasonal measures, can be found on the BMSB webpage agriculture.gov.au/bmsb or for policy information email Seasonal Pests Policy.
The Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) hitchhiker pest BICON case has been updated for the 2019-20 risk season and will be published shortly.
If you see something that could have entered Australia with imported goods report it to See. Secure. Report. on 1800 798 636 or complete the online form.
