Importation & Transport of Biological, Quarantine and/or GM Material (Within & Outside School Premises)
Transport Within Our Premises
The OGTR and AQIS require that all GM and/or quarantineable must be double contained, in unbreakable containers with approved labels, at any time is transported or held outside a Certified PC and/or QAP area. The outer container must be labeled to indicate exactly its contents (e.g. genetically manipulated material); the label must include a name and telephone number, to contact in the event of loss or damage. A template label is available see: Transport Label. Specific instruction on this can be found in the PC1, PC2 and School and Local Quarantine Manuals/SOPs.
Under the OGTR regulations any material live biological material assumes the PC status of the place where it is stored or used. This means that material of PC1 or non GM status assumes PC2 status if it is stored or used in a PC2 facility. Having assumed PC2 status it cannot be returned to a PC1 or non-PC facility.
If you wish to store non-GM material in a PC1 area or non-GM or PC1 material in aPC2 area then a special licensing arrangement with the OGTR will be needed, contact the University Biosafety Officer (Michelle White) to make arrangements.
AQIS Transfer of Material between QAPs
Note: Following an AQIS inspection on 25th February 2009 the situation for transport of material between the QAP areas G.23 and 2.33 is under question. The School had assumed: that as we are allowed, subject to correct containment and labeling, to move quarantine material between the MLS QAPs and the Engineering North Building (Both in the S0249 QAP registration); movement between the two areas in the same building would have the same permission. Until further notice an individual application must be made, in advance, for every movement between G.23 and 2.33.
In summary, any material to be transferred/transported:
- requires AQIS written approval
- must go to a facility at the correct quarantine containment level
- must be contained, labeled and transported in accordance with QAP and permit conditions
- can only be performed by accredited persons
- couriers must read the AQIS 'Driver Checklist'
Transfer of quarantine status material between QAPs requires AQIS' prior written approval - either by way of inclusion of QAP registration details on an import permit or by applying for an AQIS transfer approval.
It is of utmost importance that when you list QAP registrations on an application for an import permit that you make sure you list ALL of the registrations that apply - i.e.. all of the QAPs where you propose to use your material. If you take material between facilities, check whether they are on the same or a different registration. Listing all of the relevant QAP registration numbers will allow you to move your material between facilities on different registrations without the need for an AQIS transfer approval (i.e.. without additional cost).
At the Waite, remember especially that if your materials are received by the SARDI Quarantine Unit that you must also list the SARDI QAP Registration S0195 on your permit application.
University personnel should note that an 'Application for transfer of quarantine material' is not required in the following circumstances:
1. between QAPs collocated under one QAP registration for example:
- between QAPs in the Plant Research Centre and the Plant Genomics Centre at the Waite (both are QAP #S1185)
- between QAPs in the Molecular Life Sciences Building and Chemical Engineering (North) Building (both are QAP #S0249)
2. between QAPs for which the registration number is listed specifically on an import permit for example:
- if QAP #S0195, QAP #S1185, QAP #S1264 and QAP #S1183 are each listed on your permit you can move your material between the SARDI, University and AGRF facilities across the Waite campus
AQIS Forms:
Application for transfer of quarantine material
Application to transfer imported animals between quarantine premises form
Transport Outside School Premises
From time to time persons in the school need to transport, or have transported to them, biological material, internationally or within Australia. (Biological material includes all microorganisms and any thing that is alive or that comes from anything that is, or was, alive.) To do this we have to meet certain standards, statutes and packaging rules.
NB: Many countries have specific documentation requirements for this type of material, you need to know the requirements and satisfy them, or you risk the return of the material. With ever increasing security and regulation close attention to the correct procedures will save a lot of time, trouble, embarrassment and avoid possible financial sanctions.
Importing Biological Material
Biological material: anything that any part of is, or was, alive.
The Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service has a say in all biological material imported into this country, alive or dead. An import permit is needed to import any biological material. I hold, for the School, a number of import permits which are listed on the schools Support Web Page. Some School members find it more convenient to apply for and hold their own import permits.
A copy of the import permit should always be sent to the exporter to accompany the package on its trip to us.
It is important to be sure you have read all the conditions, on the permit, which apply to the items you wish to import. These may include:
- the requirement of manufacturer's declaration, which must accompany the material while in transit
- placing conditions on your use of the material.
- a limit the amount you may import.
- placing conditions on your distribution of the material within Australia.
- requirements for specific labeling on the package.
NB Please give all AQIS documents, that arrive with your material, to Alan McLennan. Any further dealings with AQIS about this import will be identified only by the number on these documents.
- It takes approx. 2 weeks to get a straightforward permit.
- The School has a good rapport with the local and Canberra staff of AQIS and this is very helpful in our dealings with them. It is important that nothing is done to damage our good standing with this organization.
- Subject to the AQIS conditions on the import permit, most material can be transported within Australia without further reference to AQIS.
- AQIS have no interest in material being exported other than the use of correct packaging and transport methods.
Transport and Packaging
The regulations for the transport of biological material are quite complex and vary between air and surface transport. If you are not certain of the situation please ask Alan McLennan for advice. As most of our material is transported by air he will address procedures for that process.
Genetically modified organisms or material:
Transport is allowed for Exempt, Notifieable Low Risk, and Registered material provided the conditions laid down by the Gene Technology Regulator (GTR) are met (see Handbook on the Regulation of Gene Technology in Australia - Guidelines for Transport of GMOs). Material at the level of licensed dealing needs individual permission, from the GTR, for each transportation.
The, Air Transport Dangerous Goods, classifications we are likely to use, are:
- Biological products containing pathogens in Risk Group 1
- Biological products
- Infectious substances
- Genetically modified organisms
- Dry ice
1. Biological products containing pathogens in Risk group 1 (see Note 1)
There are no restrictions on this group no specific labels are required and only reasonable packaging is needed.
2. Biological products
There are no restrictions on this group. No specific labels are required and only reasonable packaging is needed. If the material was toxic it may have to be placed in another category and different conditions may apply.
3. Infectious substances
Covers microorganisms of risk groups 2, 3 & 4 (see note 1). Divided into 4 groups:
- Infectious to humans (liquid)
- Infectious to humans (solid)
- Infectious to animals (liquid)
- Infectious to animals (solid)
There are restrictions on the amount you can import and type of packaging for this group. Specific labels are required.
4. Genetically modified organisms
As this group are classified higher than Risk Group 1 organisms, any genetically modified Risk group 1 is to be classified in this group. As Risk Group 2, 3 & 4 are classified higher again, the procedure for them is unchanged if they contain rDNA.
There are restrictions on type of packaging. Specific labels are required.
5. Dry ice
The miscellaneous group in which dry ice is situated are classed as dangerous substances. The packaging is restricted. Specific labels are required.
Alan McLennan has labels for these materials. Approved packaging systems are kept in the store. If you have more than one material then the packaging type should be for the highest type (see Alan McLennan for advice). The labeling for both substances should appear on the package. All dangerous items should appear on the documentation (see below).
Documentation
It is imperative that documentation for dangerous goods is exactly correct, nothing less will be accepted by the courier companies. Alan McLennan can advise on this.
Note 1 - These are WHO Risk Groups, which are almost the same as Australian Standard 2243.3 Risk Groups 1 - 4.
