Update on Mandatory BMSB treatment for containerised goods from Italy (NNF 2018/011)

Further to Import Industry Advice Notice 04-2018 (NNF 2018/008) we have been in contact with the Compliance Controls Branch at the Department of Agriculture & Water Resources and received advice regarding the following questions and scenarios raised by members.

• The department has assessed the related biosecurity risk, and as a result is not able to delay these measures for a later time.
• These measures have been put in place in response to the existing risk of BMSB importation in a variety of cargo from Italy, and these have been implemented as an emergency response to prevent incursion of BMSB and potential damage to Australia’s $9.4 billion horticultural industry.
• All containerised goods 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 onshore.
• 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.
• The measures apply to all goods originating in Italy during BMSB season. This includes goods that may subsequently be loaded/transhipped to Australia through other countries in Europe for goods originating in Italy.
• Due to increased risk measures, profiles have been created to refer relevant entries to AIMS on 17 January 2018.
• Any shipments cleared prior to the new profiling will not be subject to further entry processing. The department is not actively reviewing releases that have been issued prior to 17 January 2018.
• Exceptions from treatment also apply to goods that fall within one of the excluded tariff groups: Fresh produce, including nursery stock and live plants, live animals, food for human consumption and seeds for sowing.
• All other containerised goods (FCL, FCX and LCL) arriving from Italy (including new and unused goods), including those already on route to Australia, will require treatment on arrival using methyl bromide, or another approved treatment for BMSB.

For further information on the 2017-18 measures, please see the Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs webpage or contact Air and Sea Cargo.