Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Season 2020-21
The 2020-21 measures are now in force for shipments of target high risk goods exported from target high risk countries between 1st September 2020 and the 30th April 2021, arriving in Australian territory by 31st May 2021. Importers are reminded that target high risk goods shipped with out treatment as break bulk or in any non-six sided container (e.g. open top or flat rack) will be directed for export as they are not permitted to be treated onshore. Exemptions may still apply for newly manufactured and non-field tested items, as well as those imported by businesses with an approved safeguarding arrangement. The list of approved BMSB treatment providers is available here. Goods treated by a provider that are not approved will either require treatment on arrival in Australia, or in the case of any sea cargo not in fully enclosed 6-sided shipping containers, will be directed for re-export.
To learn more about the exemptions please contact your local Speedmark contact person.
DAWE Khapra Beetle Planned Urgent Actions
Within the next two months the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department) will implement urgent actions to address the risk of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) on high-risk plant products that are hosts of this pest entering Australia. The urgent actions will be applied to a number of plant products (in various raw and physically processed forms for any end use), which have been identified as high risk.
The global spread of the kharpa beetle is increasing and it is being detected on a wide range of plant products as a hitchhiker pest. Khapra beetle is a significant threat to Australian plant industries, including the grain export industry. Khapra beetle destroys grain quality making it unfit for human or animal consumption. If khapra beetle enters Australia it would have significant economic consequences.
The department will implement measures in various phases, which will be covered in future editions of the Speedmark Newsletter. For further information please find the official notice from the department here.
Australian Wine Exporters now face a Chinese Countervailing Investigation
Following reports that the Chinese Government had launched an anti-dumping investigation against Australian Wine. Australian Wine Exporters now face a Chinese Countervailing investigation as well. Countervailing investigations are aimed at removing the effect of subsidies provided by the target country that hurt producers in a foreign country. Under WTO rules, a Government can impose countervailing duties against imports from another country to offset the effect of government subsidies provided to producers in that country.
The main difference between dumping and countervailing investigations is activity that duties are aimed to address. In dumping investigations, the activity is the selling of goods to an export market at a price less than its “normal” value. In a countervailing investigation, the activity is the providing of benefits by Government to producers in the target country.
However, there are similarities. In each investigation there will be an investigation into whether the domestic industry has suffered loss and whether imports from the target country caused that loss.
Hutchinson Port Botany Infrastructure Surcharge Increase
Effective Tuesday 8 September 2020, Hutchison Port Botany’s Infrastructure Surcharge increases from $63.11 to $88.83 per container (excl GST).
