The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) season is a difficult time for the shipping industry in Australia, with the appearance of the brown marmorated stink bug posing a significant threat to freight and biosecurity. From September 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022, draconian anti-stink bug measures apply to high-risk and target-risk goods produced in or imported from target-risk nations.
If you’re importing items that fall within the BMSB rules for a particular category, you’ll need to either treat your goods upon arrival (six-sided closed containers only) or obtain a BMSB Treatment Certificate from customs officials to show that the items were treated at the source (mandatory for open-top containers or breakbulk cargo).
If the treatment is done outside of the United Kingdom, it must be provided by an authorized offshore BMSB treatment provider that has joined the Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme. If you undergo therapy on arrival, a certificate must be presented.
Why Are BMSB Treatments Necessary?
Stink bugs are known to wreak havoc on plants, fruit, and vegetables. The BMSB Treatment Certificate is intended to notify the Australian Border Force that your shipment has been treated. Stink bugs aren’t normally seen in Australia, but they do travel by sea and pose a biosecurity risk to importing countries. They are not harmful to human health, but they do pose major agricultural harm.
The certificate’s content
The Stink Bug Treatment Certificate is a one-page document that will typically include the following:
- The letterhead of the approved treatment provider, including a unique certificate number issued by the treatment provider;
- The provider’s unique AEI number;
- A description of the items that were treated, including the amount;
Importance
Your goods will have to be treated by Australian authorities if you do not assess the stink bug risk and the requirement to have a BMSB certificate. Only six-sided sealed containers can be treated on arrival, so keep that in mind. If your items are delayed or seized because they arrived untreated, their export may be redirected as a result of this policy. This might create extra costs and delays, as well as the possible seizure of your items if they represent a biosecurity hazard.
In December 2019, an ocean-going cargo vessel carrying over 3,000 vehicles and equipment was simply turned away into Australia owing to the presence of stink bugs. As a result, it’s critical to thoroughly evaluate your supply chain’s BMSB risk.
How is it spread?
The species is highly mobile, moving from host to host throughout the spring and summer. Surveillance for BMSB has been intensified on certain shipments arriving in Australia as a result of the threat it poses to Australia.
Where is it found?
Although BMSB is not present in Australia, it was discovered in a shipment of imported electrical equipment from Italy in 2017. NSW was declared BMSB-free following a 12-month eradication and monitoring campaign in August 2018.
What is the potential cost to Australia?
BMSB, owing to the harm it causes to fruit and vegetables, is a serious hazard to Australia’s $1 billion horticultural sectors. In 2017, the Australian Government’s Targeted Biosecurity Investment Plan allocated $15 million to research and implement a National BMSB Management Plan that would take a coordinated approach to eradicate this invasive species in Australia.
What is the impact on transport?
The impacts of BMSB on human health are not yet fully understood. However, if you have been exposed to this pest, it is advised that you seek medical attention immediately. The government has activated its regulatory framework for dealing with stink bugs to prevent significant supply chain disruptions from occurring after an outbreak occurs in Australia. In addition, the Australian Department of Agriculture will take the steps necessary to protect Australia’s trade relationship with other nations. On June 1, 2020, two weeks before
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For the next BSMB risk season, several high-risk exporting nations’ goods will be subjected to increased onshore inspection. Are you considering import cargo insurance this year? Why not check out Urban Hawk.
