31st August, 2022
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Season 2022-23
Effective from goods departing 1st September 2022 – 30th April 2023 Inclusive
Dear Valued Gava Customers,
As you may be aware the Department of Agriculture have released the measures for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) season 2022-23.
We had contacted The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources to receive clearer instructions in regard to the packing of the containers for fumigation or heat treatment. Below is an extract of their reply to us:
We do not have diagrams or picture examples of what is to be considered suitable free airspace as each consignment is different and there are too many variables that need to be considered. The intent of the free airspace requirement is to allow the fumigant to circulate throughout the entire treatment space and is able to access anywhere that the BMSB may be harbouring. If we are too specific in defining what would be considered good free airspace, we may inadvertently prevent treatment of consignments that would otherwise be suitable for treatment.
We need to rely on the professional judgement of the fumigator to make considered evaluation of the consignment taking into account the following:
- Space between and around the goods within the treatment enclosure to allow the fumigant to access individual items.
- Anything that might impede the fumigant reaching all external and internal surfaces of the goods throughout the consignment accessible to BMSB.
- Verification that the fumigant is distributed evenly throughout the treatment enclosure with correctly located monitoring tubes.
- Placement of fans to circulate the fumigant.
We would also like to point out from their release measure the following:
Free Airspace/Load Capacity:
Space must be available in between and around the goods within the treatment enclosure to allow for:
• Fumigant or heat to reach all external and internal surfaces of the goods throughout the consignment accessible to BMSB.
• The fumigant or heat to be distributed evenly throughout the treatment enclosure.
• A fan to be placed within the enclosure (for fumigations) to circulate the fumigant.
Fumigation (Sulfuryl Fluoride and Methyl Bromide):
A minimum of three fumigation monitoring tubes must be placed within fumigation enclosures of 30m3 or more. The monitoring tubes must be placed:
• At the front base of the enclosure on the opposite side to the fumigant supply pipe.
• As close as possible to the very centre of the goods, and
• At the top back of the enclosure on the opposite side to the front base monitoring tube.
It is imperative that monitoring lines are placed at representative points within the enclosure to verify sufficient distribution and concentration levels of the fumigant within the enclosure.
If the fumigation is performed in a temperature-controlled environment, there must also be enough space to place temperature sensors as far away as practicable from the heat source.
If treatment providers do not have enough space, the goods must be reconfigured (if permitted – see above note) to allow for the correct placement of monitoring tubes and a fan. If this cannot be done, the fumigation cannot be conducted.
Please note Additional Information that has been added for this Season.
The following countries have been identified as emerging risk countries for the -BMSB risk season and may be selected for a random onshore inspection: United Kingdom and China
- China – random inspections will apply to goods shipped between 1 September to 31 December (inclusive)
- United Kingdom – random inspections will apply to goods shipped between 1 December to 30 April (inclusive)
- In addition to the target high risk goods, chapters 39, 94 and 95 will be subject to random inspections for emerging risk countries only
- NUFT Decs are still an option for Goods in Chapters 82,84-89 and made completely after 1st December 2022.
