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15-Dec-2016
| ASIAN GYPSY MOTH VESSEL (AGM) ASSESSMENT & INSPECTION Australia |
| Asian Gypsy Moth Vessel (AGM) assessment & inspection |
| Thursday, December 15, 2016, Australia |
| On 9 January 2017, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) will commence the management of AGM risk on vessels arriving in Australia. This activity is expected to conclude on 31 May 2017.Vessels that have visited an overseas AGM risk seaport during the 2016 AGM flight season will be risk assessed by the department to determine the need for a targeted AGM inspection on arrival. All relevant vessels will be sent an AGM questionnaire through the Maritime Arrivals Reporting System (MARS), as part of the pre-arrival reporting process.Once the questionnaire is completed and returned to the Maritime National Coordination Centre (MNCC) and assessed, the vessels will be notified if a targeted AGM inspection is required as part of their first port arrival formalities.
Vessels masters should continue to remain vigilant for exotic insects and report detections to the department. The department has developed a pest alert brochure to assist vessel masters and crew to detect hitchhiking pests of biosecurity concern, such as AGM. The pest alert brochure can be found on the departmental website. The activities of assessment and inspection for seasonal pests, such as AGM, are chargeable in accordance with the department’s Charging Guidelines. (For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com) Source: Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Import Industry Advice Notice 121-2016 dated 14 December 2016 |
