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18 Jul 2018 / Australia

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug measures

The Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) has announced updated draft measures to prevent the spread of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) for upcoming season from September 2018 to April 2019.

BMSB is a pest with the potential to severely impact agriculture. Juveniles and adults feed on around 300 different plant species and can severely damage fruit and vegetable crops. Adults are found in large numbers seeking shelter from cold weather in crevices or protected areas of shipping containers, vehicles, boats, caravans, machinery and personal stored items.

The proposed seasonal measures apply to certain goods shipped as sea cargo from target risk countries. That list of countries has been expanded to ten, namely: USA, Italy, Germany, France, Russia, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Georgia and Japan (heightened vessel surveillance only).

Draft measures include:

  • Heightened surveillance on all roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) and general cargo vessels with pre-arrival reporting through a questionnaire and daily checks for BMSB
  • Heightened surveillance to identify high risk vessels to be directed for inspection or treatment
  • Mandatory offshore treatment for target high risk goods
  • Increased onshore intervention for target risk goods
  • Export or destruction of target high risk goods requiring mandatory offshore treatment and arriving untreated, unless exceptional circumstances are granted
  • Break bulk cargo, machinery and vehicles are ALL considered “High Risk Goods”

All cargo classified as High Risk Goods require mandatory offshore treatment before arrival into Australia. Otherwise it will be refused entry and either destroyed or marked for re-export.

There are some exemptions (Food, seeds, pharmaceuticals, plants). There may be exemptions for those with approved arrangements approved with the DAWR.

For further details, go http://www.agriculture.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/biosecurity/import/pests/bmsb-industry-presentation.ppt

Final seasonal measures will be published shortly.

For information about operations at Australian ports contact GAC Australia at [email protected]

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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