Dear Zoran,
We can confirm that there are currently three AEI codes in the ICS (IT4001SF, IT4002SF and IT4003SF). Broker third party software should have picked all three up in a recent data update.
The public reference file the third party software should access is available where the three Italian Sulfuryl Fluoride (SF AEI) codes are listed. Hopefully future updates are able to pick all three up.
Recent detections of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB), due to ineffective SF treatments out of Italy required the department to implement pro-active controls to manage offshore SF treatment providers.
Currently, to manage the risk posed by these consignments, all containerised consignments shipped from Italy that arrive in Australia between 17 January 2018 and 30 April 2018 will be required to undergo an approved treatment offshore or onshore before being released. Consignments treated offshore with one of the approved BMSB treatments, and where a valid treatment certificate is presented to the department, do not require onshore treatment.
Where a SF fumigation failure from a treatment provider is confirmed, the department adds the treatment provider to a published list of ‘unacceptable’ treatment providers and profiles them using the AQIS Entity Identifier (AEI) field in the Integrated Cargo System (ICS).
When a treatment provider is listed as ‘unacceptable’ and profiled in the ICS, all consignments with treatment certification from the treatment provider is referred to the department to be directed for appropriate onshore treatment. This system ensures treatment certificates issued by treatment providers responsible for past and future SF failures are rejected by the department and appropriate risk measures taken.
By including the requirement for customs brokers to enter the IT4001SF AEI for ‘All companies not listed as unacceptable’, the department is able to track consignment volumes, conduct random interventions where necessary and have confirmation that customs brokers have conducted the necessary assessment of the certificates and they are determined to be acceptable. This is the same practice currently in place for all methyl bromide certificates received from non-Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS) countries.
The list is obviously small as this process has only just been implemented, the list is expected to grow as the department receives more failed treatments.
The expansion of the AEI requirements for SF treatments beyond Italy is likely to occur and will be considered in the near future.
We have initially commenced this process with only Italy to mitigate the BMSB risk mentioned above.
Regards,
Compliance Partnerships | Compliance Division
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
CBFCA Commentary
It's important to note the current emergency measures for goods of Italian origin are for this season only ending 30 April 2018.
For next season the Department is looking at addressing the risk offshore with offshore treatment requirements and expand to other countries as stink bugs are spreading. A formal industry notice is expected to be issued as the Department prepares for the next season as addressing the risks onshore by mandatory treatment is not a long term viable option from an industry perspective due to lack of infrastructure and resources to handle the increased treatment volumes, resulting in additional costs.
It is interesting to note that stink bug infestation has been found on a second ship carrying cars from Japan and turned away from the Ports of Auckland after stink bugs were found on board. New Zealand has also implemented emergency measures to protect their agriculture.
Ministry for Primary Industries officers found more than 100 marmorated stink bugs, and about 30 other insects. The boat arrived on February 11, but was not allowed to unload cargo and ordered out of New Zealand waters. For more information click HERE.
Zoran Kostadinoski
Regional Manager VIC / TAS / SA