Insects affecting timber-in-service, particularly bostrichid borers and termites, are among the most frequently intercepted organisms at international and national borders, associated with wood packaging, wooden furniture and artefacts, and timber and timber products. There are more than 25 non-native insect species in the Bostrichidae, Ptinidae, Cerambycidae and Kalotermitidae, and at least 12 non-native timber decay fungi that have been accidentally introduced and established in Australia of which 17 cause moderate to high impact. Timber-in-service pest impacts are realised through significant damage, and prevention and control costs to timber structures including houses, bridges, and power poles. There are strict pre-border and border biosecurity regulations aimed to reduce entry of insects in timber, timber products, and wood packaging. Two species (West Indian drywood termite and European House borer) established in Australia are currently subject to biosecurity reporting and movement restrictions. However, timber-in-service pests are not covered under any specific post-border biosecurity arrangements in Australia that enables the forest and timber industry to participate in decision-making around how new incursions are dealt with, and they are not included in the new forest-grower levy-funded National Forest Pest Surveillance Program. Here, we describe pre-border and border biosecurity measures that aim to reduce the likelihood of new species arriving, but identify that there are few post-border mitigation measures to detect and eradicate exotic species, or prevent their establishment and spread. Risks to timber-in-service are likely to increase by recent changes to government policy, increases in trade and travel, and capacity decline.

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