Responding to the rapid expansion of Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (BMSB) throughout Europe and North America, Gard reports that Australia and New Zealand have revised their biosecurity requirements and seasonal measures ahead of the 2020/21 BMSB risk season.
Specifically, Gard highlights that four new countries have been added to the list of ‘BMSB risk countries’, which now totals 37 countries:
Moreover, the Australian Authorities announced that Belarus, Denmark, Ireland, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom and Chile have been identified as ‘emerging BMSB risk countries’ and that random onshore inspections of goods from these countries may be undertaken during the 2020/21 season.
The authorities will focus on all ro-ro vessels that berth at, load, or tranship in BMSB risk countries.
Due to differences in climatic conditions in the two countries, the BMSB risk season in Australia is a month longer than in New Zealand:
- Australia: 1 September 2020 – 31 May 2021
- New Zealand: 1 September 2020 – 30 April 2021
Although the two countries continue to work closely together to ensure that seasonal measures are consistent where possible, they will not be conducting BMSB treatment for each other.
It is noted that
All ships masters and agents are reminded of their obligation to continue to report all insect detections in pre-arrival reporting.