オーストラリアおよびニュージーランド：クサギカメムシ(BMSB)の検疫強化
クサギカメムシ(BMSB)は、さまざまな農作物、果物、野菜、観賞用植物に被害を与えうる農業害虫です。
東アジア原産で、北米とヨーロッパに分布域を拡大し、現在ではオーストラリアとニュージーランドで重大な脅威とされています。生態系への影響を防ぐため、両国ともに厳格な検疫を導入しています。本稿では、オーストラリアおよびニュージーランドにおけるクサギカメムシの検疫内容、対象リスク国、対象船、BMSB対策等について説明しています。
What is the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug?
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) is an invasive agricultural pest capable of damaging a wide range of crops, fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. The bug earned its name because of the foul-smelling chemical it releases when threatened. Its ability to reproduce rapidly and its resilience to harsh climates make it particularly troublesome.
Similar to the Flighted Spongy Moth Complex, the BMSB is a ‘hitchhiker’, stowing away on ships engaged in international trade. The bug typically seeks shelter during the colder months, making shipments of vehicles, machinery, parts and containers as targeted high-risk goods.
Native to East Asia, it has spread across North America and Europe and is now considered a significant threat in Australia and New Zealand. Both countries have implemented rigorous biosecurity protocols to prevent the bug from establishing itself in the local ecosystem.
Requirements
The requirements apply to parties involved with importing goods in Australia and New Zealand. Before shipping, they must ensure that the targeted goods are treated using approved methods. The treatment must be carried out by accredited treatment providers, ensuring compliance with biosecurity regulations during the high-risk BMSB season, which typically runs from September to April each year.
The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) in New Zealand have collaborated to align their requirements for BMSB management as much as possible. The key areas of alignment are target risk countries, treatments, and the approved treatment providers.
However, there are still some differences in local requirements and port entry procedures. As such, parties involved with importing goods into Australia or New Zealand must understand the requirements for each country to ensure compliance.
Essentially, heightened biosecurity measures apply to:
- targeted goods such as vehicles, machinery and parts manufactured in, or shipped from target risk countries, between 1 September and 30 April (inclusive), and
- vessels that berth at, load or tranship from target risk countries within the same period.
Target risk countries
Both Australia and New Zealand requirements include the following 38 target risk countries:
|
1. Albania |
14. Georgia |
26. North Macedonia |
|
2. Andorra |
15. Germany |
27. Poland |
|
3. Armenia |
16. Greece |
28. Portugal |
|
4. Austria |
17. Hungary |
29. Romania |
|
5. Azerbaijan |
18. Italy |
30. Russia |
|
6. Belgium |
19. Kazakhstan |
31. Serbia |
|
7. Bosnia and Herzegovina |
20. Kosovo |
32. Slovakia |
|
8. Bulgaria |
21. Liechtenstein |
33. Slovenia |
|
9. Canada |
22. Luxembourg |
34. Spain |
|
10. Croatia |
23. Montenegro |
35. Switzerland |
|
11. Czechia |
24. Moldova |
36. Turkey |
|
12. France |
25. Netherlands |
37. Ukraine |
|
13. Japan (heightened vessel surveillance in Australia) |
38. United States of America |
|
In addition to these countries, Australian requirements include Uzbekistan, China, and South Korea in the list of targeted risk countries. Goods shipped from Japan, China, and South Korea are subject to heightened surveillance in Australia.
Moreover, Australia has identified the following countries as emerging risk countries:
- China – random inspections will apply to goods shipped between 1 September and 31 December (inclusive)
- United Kingdom – random inspections will apply to goods shipped between 1 December and 30 April (inclusive)
Targeted vessels
In Australia, all roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) vessels that berth at, load or tranship in target risk countries between 1 September and 30 April (inclusive) will be required to:
- conduct self-inspections and respond to specific questions as part of the pre-arrival reporting requirements; and
- undergo a mandatory seasonal pest inspection on arrival in Australia.
In New Zealand, in addition to vehicles, machinery and parts from the 38 target risk countries (that are subject to VMP Standard), all sea containers imported from Italy are targeted due to higher BMSB populations. Some Italian goods may be sensitive to treatment and are permitted alternative BMSB management under the SEACO Standard.
Approved treatment methods
Acceptable pre-shipment treatment methods include:
- Heat Treatment: Maintaining the goods at 56°C or higher for at least 30 minutes. For individual goods weighing less than 3000 kg shipped as break bulk only, maintaining 60°C or higher for at least 10 minutes
- Fumigation: Using sulfuryl fluoride or methyl bromide to fumigate the cargo at a concentration of 24g/m3@10°C for at least 12-24 hours.
These treatments must be documented and certified before the shipment is allowed entry. The list of approved treatment providers can be accessed here: Pre-border Biosecurity Treatment Providers - DAFF (agriculture.gov.au)
Conclusion
Although the responsibility for ensuring the cargo is ‘clean’ lies with the importers, Members with ships operating in Australia and New Zealand are recommended to ensure that BMSB measures are complied with in order to prevent ships from being turned away from the territorial waters of these countries.
** Even though this article mainly covers the BMSB measures in Australia and New Zealand, similar protocols are in place for vessels arriving in Chile and Fiji. The Chilean Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) require inspection and fumigation of certain imported goods, especially from the United States. It is recommended to consult Club’s local correspondent or vessel agents for the most up-to-date information.