Skuld alerts that the risk season for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) begins 1 September 2019 until 30 April 2020; In this timeframe, vessels sailing to Australia and New Zealand have to ensure that their crew is informed and familiar with the BMSB seasonal management measures.
[Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs, or Halyomorpha halys are a serious pest for agriculture and horticulture and can be a social nuisance. Like the Asian Gypsy Moth, the BMSB is considered a hitchhiker pest that can spread via oceangoing vessels. They seek shelter from cold weather during winter season and find their way into equipment, vehicles, machinery and other types of cargo.]
The Club informs that treatment or cleaning of cargos onboard in the country of origin may be needed.
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Also, the crewonboard are obliged to report any presence of BMSB and other exotic insects upon detections onboard to the relevant quarantine authorities at the port of destination.
There are significant consequences if stink bugs are found or intercepted, and in some cases vessels have been turned away from ports or even the territorial waters; For instance, New Zealand ordered a vessel, carrying a variety of vehicles from Europe and the United States, to depart after discovering stink bugs and other regulated pests.
Importers of targeted vehicles, machinery or parts from the following countries must meet The New Zealand Ministry for primary Industries (MPI)’s requirements to manage the risk of BMSB getting into New Zealand.
Also, the importers should provide MPI the documentation needed to show that the cargo follows the requirements of the IHS for Vehicles, Machinery and Parts. If the cargo requires BMSB management under the Standard there is the option of MPI-Approved System management or treatment with an MPI-Approved Treatment before the cargo arrives in New Zealand.
Given the severity of the situation, the New Zealand Ministry for Primaries (MPI) launched new versions of the Import Heath Standard for Vehicles, Machinery and Parts and the Import Heath Standard for Sea Containers form All Countries.
The Australian Department of Agriculture highlighted some of the activities ahead of the BMSB season for 2019-2020:
- All roll-on-roll-off / PCTC vessels will be subject to thorough inspection.
- Mandatory treatment for BMSB target high risk goods/cargos.
- Goods exported from one of the target risk countries on or after 1 September 2019 and that arrive in Australia before 1 May 2020 will be subject to BMSB inspections.
- Cargos as target risk goods will be subjected to random inspections onshore.
