Request a Demo
On September 19, 2024, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) proposed to amend the Biosecurity Act 1993, involving regulations on border and imports. Any comments can be submitted before November 29, 2024.
The consultation draft covers 6 topics, including system-wide issues, funding and compensation, border and imports, readiness and response, long-term management, as well as surveillance and legislative interfaces. The below are key proposed changes concerning border and imports:
Development of import health standards (IHS)
To enable MPI to amend the technical details of IHSs without consulting on the changes publicly. This allows for quicker adjustments.
To enable a rapid amendment process for IHSs during the first year of trade in a good without consultation. This means that if any of the IHS requirements turn out to be inadequate, or different risk management measures are needed, the IHS could be amended quickly.
To allow MPI to approve the one-off or irregular importation of goods that do not have an applicable IHS, so long as any biosecurity risks could be safely managed.
To enable the use of permits to allow trade to continue while a suspended IHS is being reviewed.
To enable consultation on risk management proposal for a good, rather than the draft IHS itself.
Facility approval framework
To streamline the legislative framework for transitional and containment facilities. This would remove the requirement for facility operators to have legislative approval under the Biosecurity Act.
Enabling third party verification at transitional facilities
To amend the Act to allow authorised third-party to undertake verification activities at transitional facilities.
To enable the Director-General of MPI to recognise third parties to undertake specified roles and functions.
Establishment of biosecurity control area in Place of First Arrival
To explicitly allow a Place of First Arrival (PoFA) Standard to establish a biosecurity control area (BCA). Currently, the Biosecurity Act does not explicitly enable biosecurity control areas to be established through the PoFA Standard.
We provide full-scale global food market entry services (including product registration, ingredient review, regulatory consultation, customized training, market research, branding strategy). Please contact us to discuss how we can help you by 
