Biosecurity certificates and the Queensland biosecurity manual

Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, the movement restrictions established within and into Queensland aim to prevent the introduction and spread of pests and diseases that affect our agricultural industries. These restrictions apply to risk materials including livestock, some fruit and vegetables, nursery plants, soil on which these plants have been grown, and appliances that have been in contact with high risk items.

Approval to move these items can be granted by obtaining a biosecurity certificate. A biosecurity certificate is used to certify that the risk materials meet the requirements outlined in the Queensland Biosecurity Manual. This manual sets out how risk materials must be treated, inspected, sourced or packed prior to obtaining a biosecurity certificate.

Biosecurity Certificates for livestock

A biosecurity certificate issued by an accredited certifier will be required to accompany high risk livestock crossing the cattle tick line, moving from a property in the cattle tick infested zone into the cattle tick free zone. The biosecurity certificate provides the assurance that the livestock are free of cattle tick and have met the regulatory requirements for movement. High risk livestock will be those species that are suitable hosts for cattle ticks and pose a significant risk to spreading viable cattle tick. These include:

• Cattle
• Buffalo/Bison, and
• Deer.

Find out more about the cattle tick management framework in Queensland.

Biosecurity Certificates for plants and plant products

Where movements are from interstate into Queensland, existing trading arrangements will apply. Certificates issued by interstate authorities or under Interstate Certification Assurance (ICA) arrangements meet Queensland's entry requirements as they are recognised as biosecurity certificates.

Accreditation for plants and plant products

Queensland's existing plant health certification system will continue under the Act. There will be some changes to the terminology used and to the system itself, however this should not result in any disruption to trade arrangements that are in place. A person or business can still apply to become ‘accredited’ under the ICA scheme, or other non-ICA accreditation, and issue certificates. Alternatively, Biosecurity Queensland inspectors can inspect and certify produce and other plant material as required. A Plant Health Certificate issued by an inspector and Plant Health Assurance Certificate by an accredited business are both forms of acceptable biosecurity certificates under the Act.

Where the legislation establishes movement restrictions on commodities coming into Queensland, a certificate issued by an interstate authority is recognised as a biosecurity certificate and can facilitate the movement into Queensland, provided the requirements of the Queensland Biosecurity Manual have been met.