In 1995 a National Task Force on Imported Fish and Fish Products was set up by the then Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, Senator Bob Collins and the Minister for Resources, David Bedall. This was in response to a number of events which had raised concern within Australia regarding the potential for imported aquatic products to introduce exotic pathogens and pest species into Australian waters. The Task Force was comprised of a broad range of representatives from key Cornrnowealth agencies, State agencies, research organisations, industry, recreational and environmental groups. The role of the Task Force was to address all relevant matters relating to the use of imported aquatic animals and their products, including fish health and quality, socioeconomic, industry and environmental aspects in order to develop a policy framework and nationally agreed mechanisms for the importation and handling of aquatic imports. The Task Force was also to address all relevant aspects of the ''Report of the Scientific Working Party on Aquatic Animal Quarantine" (BRS Report).

The Task Force established a Working Group to provide analysis and prepare reports on specific subjects for the main Task Force and reported jointly to the Ministerial Council for Forestry, Fisheries and Aquaculture (MCFFA) and the Agricultural and Resources Ministerial Council of Australia and New Zealand (ARMCANZ) in December 1996.