Status Update

Grain Trade Australia (GTA) is a member of the Grain and Plant Products Export Industry Consultative Committee (GPPEICC), representing the interests of GTA Members.

The GPPEICC is the principal forum for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to consult with the grain, fodder, nuts, seed and timber industries on export inspection and certification, export market access and other relevant issues.

The most recent meeting was held on 18 June 2025 and issues of relevance to GTA Members are outlined below.

Meeting Outcomes

DAFF Finance and Budget issues

As notified to industry previously, DAFF have budgeted in 2024/25 an expense increase of over $4m over the previous year. This expense increase will continue into the next financial year when the 2025/26 CRIS will be released, noting that the government will provide remission funding to cover the shortfall of expenditure over the revenue expected to be received. GTA have continued a focus on seeking DAFF to adequately explain this increase in expenditure. As per our last industry update, despite repeated requests, DAFF have not been able to adequately justify that increase. Despite those expenditure forecasts, the grain program is expecting an over-recovery of funds to be at $4.3m at the end of this financial year.

DAFF continue to develop new sustainable funding models under a Sustainable Funding Taskforce. DAFF hope that the outcome will be greater transparency of expenses to the grain sector, as well as improved financial performance, improved efficiency and use of technology. Consultation on the new funding model is expected to occur in August 2025 at the earliest, however this may be delayed for various reasons. GTA will maintain a watching brief and advise industry once timeframes are known. In the interim, the 2025/26 CRIS once released, as noted above, will not involve any additional fees for industry given the government pledge to provide remission funding.

Debt from industry remains similar to the previous reporting period, with DAFF initiating debt recovery actions for some industry members.

Strategic and Operational Matters

A number of improvements to market access have been sought and industry encouraged DAFF to consider all solutions to assist in not only improving market access to existing markets but assist industry in access to new markets.

DAFF has released bulk vessel inspection instructional material for Authorised Officers (AO). A number of issues with correct implementation of the requirements for vessel inspection were outlined and will be addressed by DAFF as required. GTA continues liaison with DAFF and the shipping industry on refinements to the survey of empty vessels under DAFF legislation and for compliance with maritime regulations.

As per previous reports, non-compliances identified during Export Registered Establishment audits continue to be related to:

• Incomplete record keeping
• Pest control
• Hygiene.

Recent DAFF audits of AOs revealed failures to comply with Work Instructions on a range of issues including pre and post grain inspection documentation requirements (e.g., completion of inspection records), and failure to adequately follow inspection procedures for empty Bulk Vessels as noted above.

A target for other audits were those sectors of industry involved in recent non-compliances raised by export markets. Industry is encouraged to interact where appropriate with their appointed AOs and ensure required procedures are being followed at all times. This includes industry export members ensuring grain presented for AO inspection prior to loading has been assessed and meets the quarantine requirements of the importing country.

An update on the Industry Working Group seeking a practical outcome of post-loading fumigation of containers with methyl bromide was provided. As previously advised to GTA Members, a series of workshops were held in QLD and NSW seeking industry input into the issues involved. To determine a plausible solution that is practical yet meets regulatory requirements, DAFF and GTA are planning a workshop to address and determine solutions, including a timeframe for implementation, of all concerns raised during deliberations on this topic.

GTA continues work with DAFF on finalising the Grain Storage Assets and Management Standard. While the Standard will be available as of 1 July 2025, communication plans to industry continue and it is expected applications for accreditation under that Standards from industry will be sought as of 1 October 2025.

Digital Reforms and IT System issues

Incomplete documentation, errors and resubmissions remain an area for improvement for industry. Correct documentation will assist DAFF to process RFPs and provide relevant documentation in the shortest time possible.

The revision of the Micor system to a new DAFF operating platform continues. While some feedback has been received from industry on refinements to a new Micor system being developed as part of that process, further industry interaction is being sought. Industry members wishing to provide input into enhancements of Micor are encouraged to contact DAFF.

To assist industry, a number of enhancements to PEMS have occurred. While delayed until 2026, DAFF continue work to develop NEXDOC for the grain sector. Industry is encouraged to advise DAFF where changes to export documentation should occur to improve efficiency of the export documentation process.

As noted in previous communication to industry, DAFF continues to implement ePhyto with export markets, albeit at a significantly slower rate than preferred by the grain industry. Consultation and testing with various markets is occurring, however implementation is delayed as DAFF remain reliant on those markets to undertake their ePhyto implementation processes. GTA re-affirmed our view that ePhyto has the ability to create significant benefits to industry and continued to seek DAFF place a priority on progress both now and in the near term.

Further Information

Contact GTA to seek further information on any of the above issues. Further information on GPPEICC and its membership can be found here.

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