17 Dec 2018 / Australia
On 30 October, the Morning Composer, a roll-on roll-off vessel, departed Belgium with cargo loaded from Germany and Belgium, and arrived in Australian territory on 26 November 2018.
The vessel was subject to heightened vessel surveillance for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) and reported detections of exotic insects (both live and dead) including BMSB.
The vessel was directed to remain at anchorage while in Australian territory, for inspection by biosecurity officers. During the inspection, subsequent exotic insects were detected by biosecurity officers. The vessel was directed for thermal py-fogging prior to another inspection conducted by the department.
During the second inspection, six different species of exotic insects including BMSB were detected. The vessel was directed to remain anchored at sea pending a risk management proposal to be provided to the department for consideration and approval.
The department has had ongoing engagement with the shipping line and its operators to progress a suitable risk management plan that addresses the biosecurity risk to Australia. The vessel has been required to conduct daily inspections and report insect findings to the department.
On 9 December 2018, the vessel operator provided all insect specimens to the department for analysis and identification. A full assessment of all insects recovered from the vessel since its arrival in Australian territory has been completed by specialist departmental officers.
The department has considered these findings along with the risk management plan submitted by the vessel operator. The continued detections of exotic insects including BMSB indicates the likelihood of a larger residual population of exotic insects including BMSB on board the vessel that remains undetected.
No cargo was discharged in Australia from the vessel and the vessel has remained at anchorage at a safe distance from Australia’s border.
The department considers that the vessel and its cargo continues to present an unacceptable level of biosecurity risk. To protect Australia from the risk posed by this vessel and it cargo, the department has directed the vessel to leave Australian territory. As a result, the cargo on board the vessel has also been directed to be exported from Australian territory.
The vessel operator has fully cooperated with the department, including providing pre-arrival and daily reporting of exotic insects.
The department continues to review any BMSB detections and the risk pathways to adjust import measures as needed. Industry is expected to comply with the BMSB season measures (http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/before/brown-marmorated-stink-bugs/) and, where possible, only load compliant cargo and/or ensure cargo is not contaminated with BMSB and other biosecurity risks.
(For information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at [email protected])
Source: Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
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