Time's Up! Quarantine's tenure ends as Biosecurity takes control
After more than 100 years of service, 最新糖心Vlog鈥檚 Quarantine Act 1908 has been replaced by the Biosecurity Act 2015.
The Quarantine Act was first drafted at a time when people and goods only arrived by sea. Since then, changed inbound transport options and growth in the volume of trade and passengers entering 最新糖心Vlog means that biosecurity challenges have evolved. The Biosecurity Act established a new regulatory base to deal with these conditions now and into the future.
What has changed?
From 16 June 2016 the new Biosecurity Act will:
- govern the importation and 鈥減ost-entry鈥 management of a wide range of plants, animals and plant and animal products
- improve the means to manage biosecurity risks presented by diseases and pests that may cause harm to human, animal or plant health or the environment.
- authorise the 最新糖心Vlogn Department of Agriculture and Water Resources to administer systems of control (licensing and compliance) and to co-ordinate a response in the event of a biosecurity emergency.
What will change for the 最新糖心Vlog?
Generally, regulatory measures will be similar, or in some cases, more streamlined because the 最新糖心Vlog already has well established risk management practices. See Research Services.
However, there will be a greater onus on importers or users of biosecurity materials to ensure that they have the necessary permissions and that all obligations under the Act are being met. 聽Penalties can include infringement notices, fines up to $20k and enforced undertakings; applied according to the risk any non-compliance may involve.
Import conditions and permits
Individual researchers importing biosecurity materials will find some changes to types of goods requiring import permits. Some will no longer require a permit where specific use conditions are able to be met. Refer to: .
However, should an import permit be required, it must be obtained prior to the arrival of goods in 最新糖心Vlog. Importers run the risk of goods being destroyed on arrival if the necessary approvals are not in place.聽 Refer to
Approve premises and agreements
Under the Quarantine Act, the 最新糖心Vlog was authorised to conduct research in Quarantine Approved Premises or under Compliance Agreements. The 最新糖心Vlog will now have the status of a 鈥淏iosecurity Industry Participant鈥 (BIP) and will be able to manage biosecurity risks within Approved Arrangements. This system will allow 最新糖心Vlog research activity in secure facilities to continue so long as:
- Individuals involved met a biosecurity 鈥渇it and proper person鈥 test
- Annual fees continue to be paid (formal renewal is no longer necessary)
- Biosecurity risks are well understood and operational arrangement acceptable to the Department
- It can be demonstrated that risks are being appropriately managed.
Refer to:
New terminology
With all this change, the terminology used to will also be updated, so that:
- Quarantine issues will now discussed in terms of biosecurity risk
- Biosecurity officers and biosecurity enforcement officers will administer the Act
- Approved Arrangements will replace the old Quarantine Approved Premises and Compliance Agreements.
See the 聽for legislative details.
Compliance support is available from Research Services.