List of Recommendations

Recommendation 1

The committee recommends that Plant Health Australia immediately review the operations of both the National Management Group (NMG) and of the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP) to improve their performance during pest incursion emergencies. Regular reviews should also be conducted at least monthly during the management of such emergencies.

Recommendation 2

The committee recommends that the Quarantine Act be amended to require a full inspection of relevant property and premises by AQIS' Compliance and Investigations Program officers within 3 working days of an allegation of illegal importation of material being brought to AQIS' attention.

Recommendation 3

The committee recommends that AQIS develop a special Compliance and Investigations Unit drawn from permanent staff of the programme around the country and train it so that it can be sent at short notice to the appropriate area when the need arises. The committee also recommends that officers of the Australian Federal Police be involved in that training.

Recommendation 4

The committee recommends that twice a year, the Commonwealth Ombudsman review all investigations carried out by AQIS to assess whether they have been conducted by appropriately trained staff, in a timely manner, in accordance with all the relevant legislation and according to the rules adopted by AQIS' executive.

Recommendation 5

The committee recommends that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and AQIS, liaise with the Attorney General's department to develop a joint strategy to ensure that it is appropriately prepared to deal with any possible industrial sabotage or bioterrorist attack against Australia's primary industries.

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