The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) has developed proposed measures to manage the 2016-17 seasonal risk of brown marmorated stink bug infestations in sea cargo shipped from the United States. This year’s measures are largely the same as last year, with season dates, treatments, and requirements for management of target goods unchanged. This affects clients involved in the importation of targeted break bulk and containerised vehicles, boats, machinery and machinery parts shipped from the United States from 1 September 2016 to 30 April 2017 inclusive.
There have been some changes to the targeted goods, based on detections made and information gathered from surveillance conducted during the 2015-16 response. The 2016-17 target goods will:
ï‚· include machinery parts shipped as break bulk (not containerised)
ï‚· include machinery from additional tariffs
ï‚· exclude lower risk goods such as small all-terrain vehicles, jet skis, canoes and buoys. AQIS Commodity codes will be created to assist with the exclusions of lower risk goods.
The final 2016-17 measures will remain in place for the entire season unless pest infestations are detected. Should this occur, DAWR may impose emergency requirements similar to those implemented during the 2014-15 season. The department is also monitoring the risk of brown marmorated stink bugs from other parts of the world and will develop measures if required.
As always, contact us at Colless Young if you have any concerns on this issue.
