BMSB risk season 2022-23 | What’s new

On Tuesday 23 August last, EWS Group attended an online information session in anticipation of BMSB risk season 2022-23. It was organized by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry of Australia and the Ministry for Primary Industries of New Zealand, the departments that are responsible for keeping BMSB out of their respective countries.

BMSB, what is it again?

BMSB is short for brown marmorated stink bug and is an agricultural, horticultural and social pest. This hitchhiker pest originates from Asia and has spread throughout North America and Europe in recent years. It can be found seeking shelter from cold weather in crevices or protected areas of shipping containers, vehicles, boats, caravans, machinery and personal stored items.

The risk of it arriving on cargo and containers in Australia and New Zealand is particularly high between September and April, coinciding with late autumn and winter in the northern hemisphere. The responsible government bodies of Australia and New Zealand require BMSB treatment of certain goods in order to minimize the risk of it becoming a major biosecurity concern.

BSMB treatment

BMSB treatment needs to be conducted on target high risk goods manufactured in or shipped from target risk countries, exported from 1st September 2022 up to arrival in Australia and New Zealand on or before 30ieth April 2023, and to vessels that berth, load, or tranship from target risk countries within the same period. Approved treatment options include heat treatment and fumigation.

BMSB treatment providers

The information session was attended by treatment providers, both new and renewing, approved to conduct treatments against BMSB under the Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme. The departments informed attendees about the updated measures for the upcoming season and emphasized the key role the industry plays in helping to keep Australia and New Zealand free from BMSB. The measures taken in the past years have proven to be successful.

Updated seasonal measures

Now, in order to maintain successful results, Australia and New Zealand continuously review the measures throughout the season and may make necessary adjustments based on detections of BMSB and changes in the risk pathways. Currently, new seasonal measures for BMSB risk season 2022-23 include the following.

  • Emerging risk countries – China and UK only
  • Chapters 39, 94 and 95 will be subject to random inspections for emerging risk countries

A full update can be found under this leading link.

Teamwork

The session was concluded with a big thank you to the industry. It requires teamwork to keep the BMSB out of Australia and New Zealand. And that’s exactly what we offer you: teamwork! EWS Group is an approved BMSB treatment provider for both heat treatment and fumigation with a vast experience in the two fields. We would gladly team up with you to make sure your questions about shipment to Australia and New Zealand during BMSB risk season are answered and that you are provided with the right treatment and certificates complying with the requirements as set out in the scheme, allowing for carefree shipment.

Professional disinfection of containers

Eco Worldwide Solutions has developed a protocol for the professional disinfection of containers. The treatment is fast, effective and efficient. In addition, we are very flexible, so there is the possibility to have the treatment performed at your location as well as at one of our locations within Europe. China National Authorities adopted a new Technical Guidance which concerns expectations on disinfection of all imported commodities and does not dierentiate if commodities were imported by reefer containers or normal containers. This notice introduces strong recommendation to provide proofs of preventive disinfection measures (at supplier).

Container fogging treatment method

  • Identification of the container by container number.
  • The disinfectant solution is atomized in the container to be treated, with special equipment (atomizers), so that the active substance continues to work according to the times indicated on the label.
  • The container is ventilated after the exposure time. With good ventilation, it dries up and breaks down into water and oxygen.
  • When measurements show that the air quality meets the standards. The container doors will be closed, sealed and is ready to be released again.
  • A certificate of the treatment will be send by mail and can be found in our online-portal.
  • Treatment is carried out by appropriately certified personnel equipped with individual prescribed protective equipment.

Container spraying treatment method

  • Identification of the container by container number.
  • The disinfectant solution is sprayed in the container to be treated, with special equipment (atomizers), so that the active substance continues to work according to the times indicated on the label.
  • The container is ventilated after the exposure time. With good ventilation, it dries up and breaks down into water and oxygen.
  • A certificate of the treatment will be send by mail and can be found in our online-portal.
  • Treatment is carried out by appropriately certified personnel equipped with individual prescribed protective equipment.