August 13, 2020

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug season gets underway

Pictured: the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (centre); Photo: Alpsdake / Wikipedia

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.

BMSB picture CC v.4.0

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Search

Become a Member

Membership is open to all ship owners, operators and agents both Australian and International providing services to or within Australia.

Upcoming Events

May 8
Shipping Australia QLD Shipping Industry Golf Day
Join friends and colleagues for an enjoyable day, followed by a sumptuous dinner at the 2024 SAL QLD Shipping Industry Golf Day. The Golf Day will once again be held at the Wynnum Golf Club (located in beautiful Bayside and meanders over 31 hectares of picturesque parkland) on 8th May 2024. Ticket price includes: Light...
May 16
Shipping Australia Victoria 2024 Golf Day
The 8th Phil Kelly OAM Perpetual Golf Challenge Latrobe Golf Club, 8 Farm Road, Alphington VIC 3078 Format – 4 Ball Ambrose Thursday 16th May 2024 The 2024 SAL VIC Golf Day will be held on Thursday 16th May 2024 at the scenic Latrobe Golf Club.  Come along and enjoy a great course and scenery. ...

Latest News

Wollongong has a “promising” future for shipping, says NSW Planning Minister
Wollongong, as a centre for industry, mining, and shipping has “promising” future, the Hon Paul Scully MP, Member for Wollongong and the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces told guests to the Shipping Australia Port Kembla Biennial Luncheon. The Minister told guests that, in January, the Freight Policy Reform Program began and it will...
Shipping Australia Victoria 2024 Golf Day: The 8th Phil Kelly OAM Perpetual Golf Challenge
The 2024 SAL VIC Golf Day will be held on Thursday 16th May 2024 at the scenic Latrobe Golf Club. Come along and enjoy a great course and scenery. Latrobe Golf Club is a beautiful course in the leafy suburb of Alphington, just 10 Km from Melbourne’s CBD. It is bordered on two sides by...

Latest Magazine

Shipping Australia – Annual Review 2023
January, 2024

Subscribe to the Signal Newsletter

Be the first to know about releases and industry news and insights or catch up on any editions you missed.