The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) has initiated emergency measures in response to large number of interceptions of Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (BMSB), including four large live infestations being detected on and in Italian origin bulk and containerised cargo from the ports of Italy during the current 2016-2017 season.
They have issued a Biosecurity Advice notifying stakeholders of emergency measures for specific sea freight consignments of containerised and break bulk cargo from all ports in Europe which load cargo manufactured or stored in Italy after the commencement of BMSB infestation season. The emergency measures will apply to new and used vehicles, vessels and high risk machinery and parts.
These offshore treatments continue to be applied to cargo from all ports in the USA, as well as countries of emerging BMSB concern.
BMSB is an exotic pest of biosecurity concern to Australia’s agriculture industry. They can enter machines, vehicles, homes and factories in autumn months in large numbers looking for places to overwinter. Offshore treatment of goods on high-risk pathways is currently considered to be the only feasible measure available to the DAWR to effectively manage the ongoing biosecurity risk.
The recommended treatments for BMSB are as follows:
– Sulfuryl fluoride
– Methyl bromide
– Heat Treatment
Treatment window before loading:
– Break bulk goods treated before 1 December 2017 have a 96 hour treatment window.
– Break bulk goods treated after 1 December 2017 are unlikely to become re-infested, so they are not subject to a treatment window.
– Containerised goods sealed in the container immediately after treatment are not subject to a treatment window.
Season dates:
The requirements are intended apply to target goods shipped from the United States and Italy between 1 September 2017 and 1 April 2018 inclusive.
