US turns up heat on untreated wood

KEVIN MAYHEW STARTING FROM September 16, no solid wood packaging material will be allowed into the United States unless it has either been heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide. The move, which also requires shipments to be marked that they have been treated, was announced by the US’ Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). A statement explained that “the rules and any accompanying costs associated with the treatment and marking of wood packaging materials is the responsibility of shippers and/or consignees”.