1. 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 3 April 2024 and issues of relevance to GTA members are outlined below.

2. Meeting Outcomes

DAFF Finance and Budget Issues

Industry debt levels with DAFF remain at a consistent level. As always, industry is encouraged to pay due fees on-time or contact DAFF if their circumstances make payments by the due date difficult.

2023/24 YTD revenue shows an increase over that forecast. This is expected to continue for the remainder of the FY resulting in a further surplus expected by the end of the financial year (EOFY).

Total over-recovered funds are expected to increase to $5.4m by the EOFY. While industry seeks a review of these funds, DAFF is undertaking a review of funding costs to develop a “sustainable funding model” going forward. Hence no change to the current funding arrangements will occur until the initial findings of that review. Industry will be consulted when the initial findings outlining the true cost based are released in the ensuing months.

The previously announced Grain and Plant Products exports cost recovery implementation statement (CRIS) outlining DAFF fees and charges increases for the 2024/25 year will apply as of 1 July 2024.

Strategic and Operational Matters

DAFF auditors have continued conducting onsite announced and unannounced audits at Registered

Establishments. The most common form of non-compliances identified continue to be:

a) Incomplete record keeping
b) Pest control and
c) Hygiene.

The findings have indicated some significant breaches and deficiencies resulting in DAFF undertaking enforcement measures on a number of Registered Establishments and Authorised Officers to rectify those issues and ensure all meet their legal obligations.

Industry is reminded that representative samples must be provided to a laboratory where certification under an importing country quarantine requirement is specified. Refer to Technical Guideline Document No.21 – Sampling Grain all scenarios for details of obtaining representative samples.

While a legislative requirement, fumigation prior to loading has caused some significant issue for industry. There is a mix of industry stakeholders fumigating prior to and following loading. A Working Group has been reviewing information required to meet industry best practice and DAFF requirements and will shortly make recommendations to DAFF to meet their legislative obligations yet remain practical and not prohibitively influencing commercial practices.

Work continues on the Grain Storage Assets and Management Standard (GSAMS). GTA continues working with DAFF to develop the Regulatory Assurance Framework for administering and monitoring compliance with the Standard. This includes training for industry. A communication piece on actions to date and plans for release will be provided prior to 1 July 2024.

GTA has obtained over-recovered funds to develop a draft Standard to assess future technology used for grain quality and biosecurity assessment. Once findings of an initial pilot are obtained further consultation will occur with industry on mechanisms to assess new technology that may be used to assess grain.

Digital Reforms and IT System Issues

DAFF advised they have exchanged over 300 electronic phytosanitary certificates with Fiji through the IPPC ePhyto Hub. Following further refinements of the system, including adding new fields to the paper phytosanitary certificate, plans will be provided to industry on priority markets for working on the use of the ePhyto under a rollout plan.

Further enhancements to PEMS have occurred recently and will continue to be released prior to 30 June 2024

3. Further Information

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

http://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/partnerships/consultative-committees/gppeicc