Non-compliance will result in detention of cargo
Kevin Mayhew
LEGISLATION THAT takes effect from January 1, 2005 will require certain levels of verifiable fumigation of woods for export packaging. Non-compliance could result in shipments being blocked by export agencies and participating parties being blacklisted by port authorities.
South Africa, through the Department of Agriculture, is a co-signatory to the Orlando Protocol that adopted an international standard to reduce the risk of introducing or spreading quarantine pests associated with coniferous and non-coniferous raw wood used in international trade. It is known as the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM 15).
Although it’s still to be decided whether fumigation should take place when it is still a raw material or once it is a completed product, only two treatment methods have been approved, according to a statement from national pest control company, The Specialists. These are:
l Heat treatment approved by South African National Accreditation Services (SANAS), and
l Fumigation with methyl bromide by a pest control officer registered for fumigation with the Department of Agriculture, Pretoria.
The Specialists, which believes a lot of confusion has resulted in unqualified operators providing unacceptable or dangerous treatments, will be holding a mini-seminar in Johannesburg on December 12 to address the issue.
See contact details on page 19.
