Preparation for 2018-2019 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Risk Season (25/06/2018)

That time of year again……….The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has developed the following mandatory measures to manage the seasonal risk of BMSB infestations in sea cargo shipped from the United States and Italy. Please take note of the following conditions.

Season dates:
The requirements are intended apply to target goods shipped from the United States and Italy between 1 September 2018 and 30 April 2019 inclusive.

Affected ports:
The mandatory measures apply to target cargo shipped from all ports in the United States, as well as any European ports which load cargo manufactured or stored in Italy after the commencement of the season.

Goods:
As per last season, new and used vehicles, vessels and high risk machinery and parts are the target cargo for the mandatory measures and a table list of affected tariffs will be provided.

Mandatory measures:
Details of BMSB seasonal measures, including the applicable goods and specific treatment rates, will be published on the BMSB web page in the near future.

Importantly, goods exempt from BMSB seasonal measures must continue to meet standard import conditions (as prescribed on BICON), and will not be subject to the BMSB-specific treatment assurance measures detailed below.

At this stage, the import requirements to manage BMSB risk will continue to apply to goods of Italian origin and break bulk goods from the USA during the 2018-19 BMSB risk season. Extension of import requirements to additional countries is currently under active consideration.

The department will soon commence information sessions in preparation for the 2018-19 BMSB season. These sessions will outline work underway on import requirements for next season, including possible extension to other countries. To obtain further details of these sessions please register your interest by contacting Air and Sea Cargo.

Fraudulent certificates
Note that fumigation is the responsibility of cargo interests. The requirement extends to cargo loaded in consolidated shipments as well as for full container loads.

The department has developed a system to prevent the use of fraudulent certificates. Consignments that arrive in Australia with a fraudulent certificate, or with a certificate from a treatment provider that is not approved, will be identified and directed for onshore treatment, export or disposal in an approved manner.

BMSB treatment providers can contact the department at Air and Sea Cargo.

Please see below link for next year’s BMSB season:
 
http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/industry-advice/2018/57-2018  
 
Or alternatively for more information, please contact your local SOS representative.  

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