Australia’s federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has revealed the counter-measures this year for the annual high risk Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) season.
Heightened biosecurity measures will apply to
- Certain goods manufactured in, or shipped from target risk countries, and/or;
- Vessels that berth at, load or trans-ship from target risk countries.
The measures apply to goods shipped from 1 September 2020 that arrive in Australian territory by 31 May 2021 (inclusive).
Goods shipped between 1 September 2020 and 30 April 2021 need to be treated and will be referred for intervention if they arrive by 31 May 2021 (inclusive).
Certain high risk goods manufactured or ships from high risk countries are subject to intervention. About 37 countries are on the high risk list and a further seven are on the emerging risk list. The Department is also monitoring shipment from a wide variety of countries around the world.
All roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) vessels will be subject to heightened vessel surveillance. They will be required to conduct self-inspections and to respond to specific questions as part of the pre-arrival reporting requirements. Only ro-ro vessels that are eligible for the ‘Vessel Seasonal Pest Scheme’ and have detected no insects on board will be exempted from the mandatory seasonal pest inspection.
High risk shipments must be treated by a registered offshore treatment provider. Shipments that arrive untreated, or treated by a non-approved provider in a high risk country, will be denied discharge and directed for export on arrival.
Mandatory offshore treatment of target high risk goods shipped as break bulk cargo will be required. Goods shipped in open top containers or on flat rack containers are also considered to be break bulk. Untreated break bulk identified on arrival will be denied discharge and directed for export on arrival, unless exceptional circumstances are applicable.
Containerised cargo arriving in sealed six hard-sided containers with target high risk goods can be treated offshore, or onshore at the container level. Deconsolidation or removal of goods will not be permitted prior to treatment. No exemptions for deconsolidation or segregation on arrival will be considered.
All target high risk and target risk goods will be subject to random verification inspections and will be directed for onshore treatment if BMSB is detected.
Further reading
Visit the website of the Department of Agriculture for factsheets, further details and measures on a wide variety of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug matters.
