On Tuesday 23 August last, PQS Group attended an online information session in anticipation of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (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 respective 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! PQS 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.