Anyone who has travelled overseas or tried to import organic materials knows Australia has a strict biosecurity policy. Organic material seen as a potential biosecurity risk (such as produce, cut flowers, animals, etc.) can be quarantined in the so-called ‘Approved Arrangements’ sites. For Medium-Risk Nursery Stock, a tunnelhouse can provide a place to house these goods subject to biosecurity control. This article explores the requirements for an Approved Arrangement site for Class 6.1.
Why is biosecurity important?
Multiple examples throughout history showcase the devastating effects introduced pests, diseases, and invasive species can have on Australia’s unique ecosystems. Think of the cane toads, fire ants, and myrtle rust. As an island nation, Australia is isolated from many other countries, but with over 60,000km of coastline, tourists, and international trade, biosecurity is essential. Our biosecurity system protects agriculture, forestry and fisheries export industries worth $51 billion; a tourism sector worth $50 billion; environmental assets worth more than $5.7 trillion; and more than 1.6 million jobs.
Importing to Australia
When importing organic material (such as plants, produce, flowers and animals) into Australia, you must comply with the https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import. The department can often clear cargo arriving using declarations and information the importer provides. After the inspection, the department will advise whether goods should be released from biosecurity control or if any actions are required. An outcome could be that the goods are deemed a biosecurity risk and need to be sent into quarantine at an approved arrangement site.
What are Approved Arrangement sites?
An Approved Arrangement (AA) site is a facility or location approved by the DAFF to manage biosecurity risks associated with imported goods, including plants and flowers. These sites are designated to carry out specific biosecurity activities such as inspection, treatment, storage, and handling of goods under quarantine.
What structure is suitable for an AA site?
AA sites are categorised according to the type of commercial operations being undertaken and the various biosecurity activities that are authorised at these facilities. In total, there are 15 main classes of AA sites, and many have subclasses as well. Every class has its own unique requirements for storage, handling, and treatment of goods subject to biosecurity control. In this article, we specifically look into the structures that may be suitable for AA sites under Class 6.1—Medium risk nursery stock.
Requirements for the layout of a biosecurity house on a Class 6.1 AA site
- A substantial and properly constructed structure. Such as an insect-proof glasshouse, polyhouse or approved tunnelhouse with an insect-proof door entrance, porch or lock.
- Minimum floor space of 10m2 and size should be appropriate for the proposed quantity of imports subject to biosecurity on site.
- The entrance porch must be big enough to permit people, plants, and trolleys to enter the lock and ensure that only one door is open at any time.
- Film plastics can be used for cladding if they are insect-proof. The minimum requirement for film plastic cladding is a double layer of 200-micron thick poly film. The Senior Inspector can approve plastic films.
- All openings (including evaporative cooling systems) must be covered with permanently fixed gauze. The maximum allowed aperture is 0.5mm or 500 microns. Metal gauze (such as welded mesh) is preferred, but biosecurity officers can approve synthetic meshes.
Requirement for the usage of a biosecurity house on a Class 6.1 AA site
- Doors and doorways should be properly constructed and fitted with appropriate seals on the top, bottom and sides.
- Doors are self-closing with locks and handles that can be opened and closed from the inside and outside.
- Only used for post-entry quarantine of plants, for which approval was granted. A functional/structural barrier must exist between the biosecurity house and other facilities.
- An impenetrable floor that drains a soil trap, connected to sewerage or a department-approved system
- Plants should be on single-tiered mesh shelves raised off the floor to allow adequate drainage and maintenance. The benches should allow space and access for biosecurity inspection.
- The biosecurity house should always be locked, except when accessed by authorised persons.
- Fungicides are not to be used on plants without departmental approval.
Please click here for all the conditions for operating approved arrangements Class 6.1.
A biosecurity house with EnviroTec Structures
If you are considering a biosecurity house on your property, we at EnviroTec Structures are happy to assist you in any way we can. From the structure’s first design to the tunnel’s production and installation. Ensure you understand and are up to date with the latest requirements issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Contact us for a free consultation about how we can help you with this project.
Disclaimer
This article was written independently from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, only using information from trustworthy sources publicly available on 29 August 2024. Although we researched this topic thoroughly and carefully, the resources below might contain some inaccuracies. If you see any discrepancies, don’t hesitate to contact us so we can investigate them further.
Resources:
- Approved Arrangements For 6.1 – Medium risk nursery stock Requirements – Version 4.0 (version 16 June 2024)
- Approved arrangements – Last updated 30 May 2024 – Visited 29 August 2024
- Biosecurity in Australia – Last updated 12 May 2023 – Visited 29 August 2024
- Import – Last updated 04 July 2023 – Visited 29 August 2024
- Conditions of operating approved arrangements – Last updated 23 August 2024 – Visited 29 August 2024
