DELAYS have been reported in the handling of cars from ro-ro vessels in Melbourne as the brown marmorated stink bug season kicks into gear.
According to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, several pests were reported through pre-arrival processes, including brown marmorated stink bug, yellow spotted stink bug and polished green stink bug.
A figure of just under 3000 cars is understood to have been delayed.
The vessels were subject to enhanced biosecurity surveillance and inspection requirements consistent with Australia's biosecurity framework, DAFF stated.
According to DAFF inspection activities could not start over the long weekend because the vessels and cargo were not available for inspection by the operator.
“Cargo discharge commenced once the vessels were available at berth, after which the department undertook the required biosecurity assessment and inspection activities,” a departmental statement read.
“In addition, between 1 September and 30 June each year, all roll-on roll-off vessels are required to submit a Seasonal Pest Questionnaire as part of their pre-arrival reporting requirements.”
The department said there were “no biosecurity resourcing constraints associated with these vessels”.
A spokesperson for stevedore AAT said the required biosecurity clearances “for a number of vehicles was delayed by the recent long weekend in Melbourne, and out of an abundance of caution”.
“Our expectation is that clearances will be provided shortly and those vehicles will be on their way,” the spokesperson said.
According to DAFF, high risk goods treated in target risk countries must be treated by a treatment provider listed as ‘approved’ on the list of treatment providers.
“Treatment certificates from target risk countries will not be accepted from unregistered treatment providers or treatment providers listed as ‘suspended’, ‘withdrawn’ or ‘under review’ on the list of treatment providers,” DAFF stated.
Heightened vessel surveillance applies to all ro-ro vessels that have berthed, loaded or transhipped from target risk countries (with the addition of China, Japan and Republic of Korea) between 1 September and 30 June.
These vessels are to be subject to a mandatory seasonal pest (SP) inspection on arrival in Australian territory.