10/3/2021

To our Valued Customers,

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) has implemented urgent actions to address the risk of Khapra beetle on a range of plant products that are host of this pest, in sea containers. Khapra Beetle is a serious agriculture pest posing a major threat to Australia’s grain industry. DAWE has implemented a phased approach and associated conditions (6A & 6B) to manage Khapra Beetle from entering Australia.  

1. 40 Countries have been identified as high risk – Subcontinent, North Africa, Europe  
2. High risk goods, Plant products – rice, chickpeas, lentils, peanuts, seeds etc

Significant interceptions of Khapra Beetle in Australia 2021 

• Empty containers (larvae under the floor of containers)
• Larvae found in rice
• Larvae found on non-high-risk goods from non-high risk countries such as domestic appliances, furniture, metal hardware (linked to prior cycle of container history)

6A Conditions  

• High risk plant products exported from high risk country on or from 12 April 2021 must comply with the following measures;
• FCL / FCX containers PRIOR to loading must be treated off shore with approved treatment provider
• Three treatment options available – Heat treatment, Methyl bromide fumigation & insecticide spray  
• High risk containers NOT treated off shore will be re-exported

6B Conditions  

• To be introduced towards the end of 2021. The Conditions are not yet confirmed, however The Department has suggested targeting the following-

Treatment to be conducted with approved treatment providers, will be released by DAWE shortly.

Methyl Bromide Fumigation

Prior to loading the goods, the container must be fumigated with a dose of 80 g/m³ or above, at 21°C or above, for a minimum of 48 hours, with an end point reading of 20 g/m3 or above.

Heat Treatment

Prior to loading the goods, the container must be heat treated at 60°C or higher for a minimum of 120 minutes.

Insecticide Spray

Prior to loading the goods, the container must be sprayed with contact insecticide. Additional details on this treatment option will be released prior to implementation of Phase 6A.

Note: Khapra beetle treatment rates are higher than the current accepted BMSB treatment rates.

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/plant/khapra-beetle/urgent-actions#highrisk-plant-products

          https://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/arrival/pests/khapra_beetle

 

Should you have any queries or questions in relation to the above, please do not hesitate to contact our Customs Team.

 

Keeping you updated,

BRi Customs Team

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