Shipments out of Italy – Emergency measures for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Fremantle1/ January 23, 2018/ Customs and Quarantine Updates

Shipments out of Italy – Emergency measures for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources as put in place emergency measures to deal with the threat of Stink Bugs coming into Australia from Italy. This stink bug does not occur in Australia and is a pest of considerable biosecurity concern. It is highly invasive and a voracious feeder with an extensive host range (about 300 known plants including fruit, vegetables and ornamentals). Juveniles and adults feed on, and severely damage, fruit and vegetable crops. The bug is not a risk to human health but is regarded as a nuisance pest because of its habit of seeking shelter in vehicles, homes and factories in large numbers over the winter period.

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has found significant numbers of BMSB on arrival in Australia in various types of containerised goods arriving from Italy since 1 September 2017.

To manage the risk posed by these goods, all containerised goods (FCL, FCX and LCL) shipped via sea cargo from Italy that arrive in Australia between 17 January 2018 and 30 April 2018 will be required to undergo an approved treatment.

Goods already treated offshore with one of the approved BMSB treatments, and where a valid treatment certificate is presented to the department, will not require further treatment.

Exceptions from treatment apply to the goods below:

•    Fresh produce (including nursery stock and live plants)
•    Live animals
•    Food for human consumption
•    Seeds for sowing

The treatment conditions are:

•    Sulfuryl fluoride – at least 48g/m3 for 6 hours or longer or at least 16g/m3 for 12 hours or longer both with an end point reading of 50 per cent or more of the initial concentration and conducted at a temperature of 10 °C or higher. Please note this temperature is 5 °C lower than the methyl bromide conditions below.
•    Methyl bromide – at least 16g/m3 for 12 hours or longer with an end point reading of 50per cent or more of the initial concentration and conducted at a temperature of 15 °C or higher. Please note this temperature is 5 °C higher than the sulfuryl fluoride conditions above.
•    Heat – at 50 °C or greater for at least 20 minutes. The minimum temperature of the coldest part of the treated good should reach at least 50 °C for at least 20 minutes.

For Further information please refer to: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/before/pests/brown-marmorated-stink-bugs/qa#where-can-i-get-further-information or give our office a call.