Harness Racing Australia (HRA) is advising all interested persons, particularly importers of horses from North America and Europe, that the Animal and Biological Imports Branch of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the Department) is proposing changes to regulatory fees and charges for the biosecurity cost recovery arrangements which may affect horses.
The proposed changes are the outcome of a comprehensive review by the Department of the cost to deliver existing regulatory activities to effectively manage biosecurity risk and ensure fees and charges are aligned to the actual cost of these activities.
Details of the proposed changes to the biosecurity cost recovery arrangement are set out in the attached consultation paper, Proposed changes to regulatory charging for biosecurity activities. The paper also includes information on initiatives and reforms undertaken by the department, often in partnership with industry, to improve risk management and speed up cargo clearance times.
These changes to stabilise the current regulatory system are the first step in broader efforts to sustainably fund the biosecurity system. The department is developing options for a sustainable funding model, which may include further changes to the biosecurity cost recovery arrangement to ensure it is fit for purpose as the operating model evolves.
The Department has established a Have Your Say platform, which is open until AEST 5.00pm, Monday 24 April.
This link will take you directly to the Platform: Biosecurity cost recovery – proposed changes to regulatory charging | Have Your Say - Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
The web page above notes an expected implementation date of 1 July 2023, so HRA encourages not only timely feedback to the Have Your Say platform, but also encourages interested parties to engage with HRA on concerns and issues that may affect your business. HRA is a member of the Horse Industry Consultative Committee (HICC) and can raise industry views via these formal channels as well, so if providing a submission to the Department, it would be beneficial to provide this detail to HRA as well via email at: akelly@hra.com.au or phone on (03) 9227 3004
