Imported Inorganic Bulk Cargo Fertiliser
Assessment and Management Policy
Imported Inorganic Bulk Cargo Fertiliser Assessment and Management Policy – v4.0 Sep 2017
© Commonwealth of Australia 2017
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Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
Postal address GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone 1800 900 090
Web agriculture.gov.au
This policy document is intended to facilitate and encourage industry participation in the management the biosecurity risk of inorganic fertiliser imported to Australia. The Australian Government, through the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, has exercised due care in preparation of this publication. Notwithstanding, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, its employees and advisers disclaim all liability, including liability for negligence and for any loss, damage, injury, expense or cost incurred by any person as a result of accessing, using or relying upon any of the information in this discussion paper to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Version / Date / Reason for Issue / Author1.0 / 2004 / Initial version / DAFF/Industry Fertiliser Review Team
1.1 / 2005 / Revised version to amend formatting; clarify that classification Levels are determined on hold-by-hold basis; and add option for Level 1 vessel determination to be made using an EX154 Prescribed Goods/Grains Loading Permit. / DAFF
2.0 / 2010 / Removed deep core sampling; Removed maiden voyage requirements for Level 1 vessels and added a requirement for never having carried actionable cargo since new (a full trading history must be provided) or gaining Level 1 status; Added new Level 1 Gold status and criteria. / DAFF
3.0 / 2016 / Rebranding, minor edits to align with the Biosecurity Act 2015, and incorporation of changes agreed at Industry Logistics Committee since the last update. / DAWR
4.0 / 2017 / Update post 2017 Review and consultation. / DAWR
Contents
Imported Inorganic Bulk Cargo Fertiliser
Assessment and Management Policy
Purpose
Definitions
Introduction
Background to the Policy
Assessment and Management Policy
LEVEL 3 – High Risk Consignment
Supply Chain
Vessel Classification
LEVEL 2 – Medium Risk Consignment
Supply Chain
Auditing of the Supply Chain
Manufacturer/Load Port Desk Audit
Manufacturer/Load Port Onsite Audit
Vessel Classification
Vessel Cleanliness
Manufacturer’s Declaration
LEVEL 1 – Low Risk Consignment
Supply Chain
Level 1 Gold supply chains
Auditing of the Supply Chain
Manufacturer/Load Port
Desk Audit
Manufacturer/Load Port Onsite Audit
Vessel Classification
Level 1 Certification
Vessel Survey
Vessel Voyage
Manufacturer’s Declaration
Pre-Arrival Documentation
Import for Manufacturing purposes under Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Issued Import Permit
Contamination Management Procedures
Biosecurity risk treatment guide
Attachment 1 - Initial Desk Audit
Background
Documentary Evidence Required For a Level 1/Level 2 Supply Chain Application
Attachment 2 - On-Site Audit Procedures
Background
Initial Checklist
Manufacturing Details (provide photographic evidence where possible)
Storage Facilities
Transportation
Loading Facilities
Port / Wharf Details
Assessment
Attachment 3 – Example Manufacturer’s Declaration
Attachment 4 – Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Sampling Standard
Introduction
Sampling principles
Methods for sampling of solid bulk fertiliser
Mechanical sampling
Manual sampling from conveyor belt
Sampling Frequency
Inspection / analysis process
Definitions used in this Sampling Standard
Attachment 5 – Example Vessel Survey, Inspection Report and Treatment Order
Attachment 6 -Surveyor’s Guidelines
Background
Guide
Standard
Preamble
Safety
Vessel Cargo History
Inspecting the Vessel
Attachment 7 – Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Pre-Arrival Fertiliser Information
Purpose
This‘Imported Inorganic Bulk Cargo Fertiliser Assessment and Management Policy’(thePolicy) has been produced by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) in consultation with the fertiliser industry, through its representative body, Fertilizer Australia Inc (Fertilizer Australia). This Policy sets out the agreed procedures, quality assurance processes, standards and qualifications to be applied to bulk in-ship fertiliser imported into Australia. The document also outlines the process for determining the levels of classification for these imports and the assessment and management regime that will apply to each fertiliser import risk classification level.
The Policy applies to goods shipped in a bulk vessels on a hold by hold basis, and to both loose and bagged goods carried in a ship’s hold.
Definitions
The following definitions apply to this policy. Definitions apply when used in both single and plural. Where terms are not defined, the definitions that apply under the Biosecurity Act 2015 prevail.
Term / DefinitionActionable cargo / includes, but is not limited to the following, depending on their origin:
- grains and cereal crops (e.g. wheat, barley, oats, maize, sorghum);
- leguminous crops (e.g. beans, peas, soybean, lucerne);
- meals and/or stock feed; (e.g. soybean meal, canola meal, palm kernel expeller, fishmeal)
- oilseed crops;(e.g. rapeseed, canola, cottonseed, sunflower);
- rice (raw, unpolished, with husks on), excluding white polished, milled rice, bagged;
- sugar cane, excluding raw/processed sugar bagged or bulk;
- sand, excluding mineral sands e.g. rutile, ilmenite, zircon, garnet and aggregates not containing sand.
Biosecurity risk material / includes, but is not limited to:
- All Actionable cargo;
- animal material (such as hair, fur, skin, faeces, shell, blood and fluids, feathers, honey, flesh and bone);
- live animals (such as rodents and reptiles);
- food refuse (such as food scraps);
- live insects (such as Khapra beetle);
- snails (such as giant African snail);
- plant pathogens (such as fungi, nematodes, bacteria, viruses etc.);
- plant material (such as pollen, bark, spores, flowers, seeds, gum, leaves, branches, roots, stems, wood, fruits and vegetables); and
- soil (such as dirt, mud, gravel, clay and sand).
Certified laboratory / means a laboratory that is independently approved and recognised as meeting the essential requirements of a quality management system, a scientific facility equipped to conduct tests and investigations.
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR); or the department / means the Commonwealth of Australia Federal Government department responsible for the administration of the functions under Biosecurity Act 2015, as may change from time to time. (Previously known as the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, or the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service).
Department authorised auditor / means auditors that are approved by the department to conduct a specific audit.
Note: these may be departmental staff and biosecurity officers; or Independent third party auditors.
Guano / means a mineralised rock phosphate of marine bird excrement origin, or bat excrement for bat-guano.
Note:If the fertiliser contains non-mineralised guano; refer to the BICON commodity, ‘Fertilisers, Animal or microbial derived ingredients- Terrestrial animal or avian.’
Independent third party auditor / means auditors independently accredited and registered with an international auditing body, or is determined by the department as having equivalent accreditation.
Inorganic, or Mined and chemical fertiliser / means manufactured chemical fertilisers, and mined raw materials used in the making of fertilisers, which do not contain organic, plant, animal or microbial materials. These include soil conditioners, or supplements used to promote growth in soil.
Large bags / means bags used in the packaging and transport of fertiliser that are greater than 100 kilograms.
Manufacturer / means a company that manufactured/produced the goods intended for import into Australian territory.
Small bags / means bags used in the packaging and transport of fertiliser that accommodate 100 kilograms or less of product.
Sponsor / means an Australian based and registered company, who will provide the first point of contact for the department within Australia
Supply chain / means the manufacturing process, handling, transport, bagging, storage and container inspection and loading facilities and procedures, and sampling procedures that were utilised in the preparation of the goods prior to export to Australian territory.
Introduction
The importation of fertilisers into Australia can present a serious biosecurity risk if not managed appropriately. Given the high potential for direct application of fertiliser to soil, the department has maintained a zero tolerance policy on fertiliser contamination since 1995.
Imported consignments of inorganic fertiliser may be contaminated with seeds, soil, and other plant or animal material, which could introduce harmful exotic pests and diseases into Australia. Contamination can occur at a number of places throughout the supply chain; from manufacturer through to and including the voyage that the vessel takes to Australia. Recognising this, critical control points through the supply chain have been identified and related contamination management strategies were put in place.
There is also a legislative requirement for importers to meet certain conditions to import fertiliser into Australia. These conditions are given effect under the Biosecurity Act 2015, as set out under Section 40 of the Biosecurity (Prohibited and Conditionally Non-Prohibited Goods) Determination 2016.
DAWR employs a range of strategies to effectively manage the biosecurity risk through collaboration with industry across the supply chain. However, it is acknowledged that the same level of intervention is not appropriate in all circumstances. To allow for this differentiation, the policy reflects a three tier approach aligned with the contamination management strategies employed by manufacturers and/or importers. The three tiers are as follows:
- Level 3 – High Risk
- Level 2 – Medium Risk
- Level 1 – Low Risk
In instances where there are no recognised contamination management strategies in place, consignments are classified as Level 3, high risk. Where some specific strategies have been implemented, consignments are classified as Level 2, medium risk. Where the full suite of strategies has been implemented and there is a high level of confidence in the biosecurity integrity of the consignment, it is classified as Level 1, low risk.
Background to the Policy
The policies described in this document are the result of a cooperative project between the department and the Australian fertiliser industry through its representative body, Fertilizer Australia. This cooperative approach has enabled the development of a policy that improves the effectiveness and efficiency of the various parties involved in importing fertilisers that are vital to Australian agriculture.
The policy was introduced in 2004 to clearly articulate the biosecurity assessment and management procedures for the importation of bulk in-ship fertiliser. These arrangements do not supersede the import requirements for bulk fertiliser; they are designed to address the risk of biosecurity contaminants associated with these imports. The policy underwent reviews in 2005, 2010 and 2017.
From a biosecurity perspective, the policy not only provides confidence in the integrity of biosecurity controls at the border, but also encourage industry compliance.
From an industry perspective, the policy ensures a clear understanding of biosecurity assessment and management procedures. It also provides opportunities for companies to reduce the commercial risk of importing fertilisers by implementing supply chain procedures and quality assurance that significantly reduce the risk of biosecurity contamination.
In the development of these policies, the department has maintained its zerotolerance policy on fertiliser contamination. Further, the policy provides a high level of integrity and transparency in the biosecurity decision-making system. The Policy also allows importers to take extra measures to reduce commercial risk and capture the maximum benefit.
The department may update this document from time to time. Prior to making amendments to this Policy, to ensure relevance for the fertiliser industry, the department may continue to engage with industry stakeholders, including Fertilizer Australia for consultation.
Assessmentand Management Policy
Each of the three levels of classification for imported bulk in-ship fertiliser has a corresponding biosecurity intervention, reflecting the level of quality assurance and biosecurity risk management applied to the supply chain to reduce contamination risk. The assessment is applied to the vessel on a hold by hold basis and applies to loose and bagged in ship’s hold consignments.
There are two components of assessment, the supply chain to the loading wharf and the vessel to be loaded. The classification of each hold will be determined by the component with the highest risk level, as illustrated by the following table.
The consequence of a Level 3 rating is a high level of department intervention at the border. The consequence of a Level 2 rating is a medium level of department intervention at the border. The consequence of a Level 1 rating is a low level of department intervention at the border.
Refer to BICON for details of assessment and management requirements on arrival for each risk level.
Table - Risk level matrix for classification of goods on a per hold basis
Level 1 vessel / Level 2 vessel / Level 3 vesselLevel 1 supply chain / Goods are Level 1 / Goods are Level 2 / Goods are Level 3
Level 2 supply chain / Goods are Level 2 / Goods are Level 2 / Goods are Level 3
Level 3 supply chain / Goods are Level 3 / Goods are Level 3 / Goods are Level 3
LEVEL 3 – High Risk Consignment
Supply Chain
For a supply chain to be classified as a Level 3, one or more of the components of the supply chain, including manufacturing and load port facilities, do not provide sufficient evidence of contamination control. For example, where the manufacturing facility and load port have not been audited by the department authorised auditor.
Level 3, or high-risk goods are cleared on a port-by-port basis, meaning that a portion of a consignment discharged in one port can be cleared without being affected by assessment and management results for the consignment in another port of discharge.
Vessel Classification
A vessel that does not meet the evidence requirements for a lower risk level of classification such as Level 2 is classified as Level 3 by the department.
For example, where the vessel has carried actionable cargo within its last six voyages.
A vessel hold certificate of cleanliness is a mandatory requirement for all vessels carrying bulk inorganic fertiliser, including Level 3.
LEVEL 2 – Medium Risk Consignment
Supply Chain
For a supply chain to be recognised as a Level 2, all of the stages of the supply chain,including the manufacturing and load port facilities,must have provided some evidence of contamination control. Details of acceptable levels of biosecurity control for a Level 2 supply chain are provided below. In summary, requirements of a Level 2 are:
- manufacturing facilities and load port havebeen audited by the department, or a department authorised auditor (at least every three years); and
- manufacturer declaration provided for each consignment.
Auditing of the Supply Chain
Manufacturer/Load Port Desk Audit
Manufacturers and load ports wishing to be classified in the Level 2 risk category must apply in writing to the department. Applications will be subject to a desk audit by the department and will be assessed on their individual merits with consideration being given to the biosecurity risk. The purpose of the desk audit is to confirm that the manufacturing processes, sampling procedures, transport operations, storage facilities and wharf operations are sufficient to mitigate the biosecurityrisk material that may be present within the product, in particular managing contamination. The process of approval incorporates the following principles:
- appropriate level of rigor in the assessment process;
- equity between the assessment of different applicants; and
- transparency in the process.
Applications must be supported by an Australian based and registered company, who will provide the first point of contact for the department within Australia.
The minimum documentary evidence required for an application is at Attachment 1.
The desk audit is processed by the department within 6weeks from receipt of the application. The outcomes of the desk audit will be provided to the applicant on completion of the desk audit process.
Manufacturer/Load Port Onsite Audit
An initial onsite audit of the supply chain procedures and facilities is undertaken after the completion of the desk audit. The department will only progress with an initial onsite audit after the documentary evidence has been assessed and the department concludes that the supply chain processes have capacity tomitigate the biosecurity risk. The purpose of the initial onsite audit is to confirm that the manufacturing processes, sampling procedures, transport operations, storage facilities and the wharf operations can ensure the biosecurity integrity of the product. The initial onsite audit will be undertaken by a biosecurity officer.
Where desk audit requirements have been met and the department chooses to proceed with an onsite audit, the site audit will be scheduled within a six-month timeframe of the conclusion of the desk audit. Where there are extenuating circumstances this timeframe may require to be extended, and a new timeframe will be agreed between the department and applicant.
To maintain a Level 2 status, an onsite audit must be undertaken every three years by adepartment authorised auditor. The purpose of the 3-yearly onsite audit is to confirm that the manufacturing processes, sampling procedures, transport operations, storage facilities and wharf operations have not changed, or where changes have occurred to ensure the ongoing biosecurity integrity of the supply chain process and the goods.