TIMBER PRODUCTS HT News Volume: 03/26/2015

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Stink Bug Fumigation Requirements in Australia

Australia recently posted a notice addressing "importers and customs brokers associated with the importation of break bulk and containerised vehicles, machinery, automotive parts and tyres shipped from the United States."

This notice states: "The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) is an exotic pest of considerable biosecurity concern to Australia’s agriculture industry as juveniles and adults feed on and severely damage fruit and vegetable crops. BMSB also poses an environmental and social amenity risk as adults can enter vehicles, machinery, homes and factories in autumn months in large numbers looking for places to shelter over winter.

ï‚· Industry notice 125-2014 advised of emergency measures in response to the stink bugs for break bulk cargo arriving in Australia from the United States Port of Savannah.

ï‚· Industry notice 02-2015 advised of new emergency measures to be introduced for all break bulk vehicles (including boats), machinery, automotive parts, and containerised machinery, automotive parts, and tyres being shipped from the east coast ports of the United States and arriving in Australia on or after 23 February 2015.

ï‚· Industry notice 03-2015 expanded the emergency measures to all break bulk vehicles (including boats), machinery, automotive parts, and containerised machinery, automotive parts, and tyres being shipped from the west coast ports of the United States and arriving in Australia on or after 9 March 2015. The notice also extended the pre-treatment timeframes outlined in 02-2015."

When looking at this notice please note it is specific to machinery being shipped breakbulk or by container.  It does not mention WPM in any way.  However if machinery going to Australia is being placed on IPPC marked WPM, fumigation of the product would need to be performed not because of the WPM but because of what was loaded on to it.  IPPC marked WPM will not need to be retreated with Methyl Bromide but the product on it may require fumigating.  It is best to check with your designated Export Certification Specialist if you have any questions related to this declaration from Australia.