Khapra beetle measures for sea containers
Dear valued customers,
We wish to update you that the Australian Department of Agriculture has introduced mandatory offshore treatment requirements for sea containers against the khapra beetle which will be implemented starting from April 12th, 2021.
The khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium), also called cabinet beetle, which originated in South Asia, is one of the world's most destructive pests of grain products and seeds and can reproduce rapidly in stored products under hot conditions.
It is considered a significant biosecurity risk to Australia and due to the increasing hitchhiker risk of khapra beetle in sea containers, changes to the management of containers were implemented.
The Australian Department of Agriculture decided that all target risk containers from all target risk countries must undergo mandatory offshore treatment prior to arrival in Australia. Containers must be treated within 21 days prior to loading. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in export of the container upon arrival in Australia.
What are the approved treatments?
1. Heat treatment
- Heat treated to at least 60°C for a minimum of three hours.
- Must be treated prior to loading the goods and under a sheeted enclosure, with one door open and one door closed.
- Must be conducted in accordance with the Heat Treatment Methodology and BICON conditions
2. Methyl bromide fumigation
- 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.
- Must be conducted in a sheeted enclosure, with both container doors fully open and an additional concentration sampling line placed under the container.
- Must be conducted in accordance with the Methyl Bromide Fumigation Methodology
3. Insecticide spray
- Prior to loading goods, sprayed with contact insecticide.
What are targeted risk containers?
- FCL / FCX (full container load or full consolidated container) containing high risk plant products packed in a khapra beetle-risk country. Implementation date is April 12th, 2021.
- FCL / FCX (full container load or full consolidated container) containing other goods are packed into the sea container in a khapra beetle target risk country and destined for a rural grain growing area of Australia. Implementation date – TBA.
- ISO Tanks, reefers, flat racks, LCL/FAK and empty containers are excluded.
High-risk plant products:
|
Product |
Tariff item code |
|---|---|
|
Rice (Oryza sativa) |
1209, 1006 |
|
Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) |
1209, 0713, 1106 |
|
Cucurbit seed (Cucurbita, Cucumis, Citrullus spp.) |
1209, 1207 |
| Cumin seed (Cuminum cyminum) |
1209, 0909 |
|
Safflower seed (Carthamus tinctorius) |
1209, 1207 |
|
Bean seed (Phaseolus spp.) |
1209, 0713, 1106 |
| Soybean (Glycine max) | 1209, 1201 |
|
Mung beans, cowpeas (Vigna spp.) |
1209, 0713, 1106 |
|
Lentils (Lens culinaris) |
1209, 0713, 1106 |
|
Wheat (Triticum aestivum) |
1209, 1001, 1104, 1103, 1101 |
| Coriander seed (Coriandrum sativum) |
1209, 0909 |
|
Celery seed (Apium graveolens) |
1209 |
|
Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) |
1209, 1202, 0713, 1106 |
| Dried chillies/capsicum (Capsicum spp.) |
0904 |
|
Faba bean (Vicia faba) |
1209, 0713, 1106 |
|
Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) |
1209, 0713, 1106 |
|
Pea seed (Pisum sativum) |
1209, 0713, 1106 |
|
Fennel seed (Foeniculum spp). |
1209, 0909 |
The following exclusions apply:
- Goods that are thermally processed that are commercially manufactured and packaged such as retorted, blanched, roasted, fried, par-boiled, boiled, puffed, malted or pasteurized goods
- Goods that are chemically processed and preserved such as with a Formalin Propionic Acid fixative, Formalin Acetic acid alcohol, Carnoy’s fixative or ethanol.
- Fresh vegetables
- Commercially manufactured frozen or freeze-dried food (perishable foodstuffs only)
- Frozen plant samples for plant research (including through the use of liquid nitrogen and freeze drying)
- Oils derived from vegetables or seed
- Preserved or pickled (such as in vinegar or alcohol)
- Goods that have been refined or extracted to obtain specific components from plant-based raw materials. Examples include starch, lecithin, protein, cellulose, sugars and pigments.
High Risk Countries
Khapra beetle is found throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. The Australian Department of Agriculture has identified the following countries as target risk countries:
A: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria
B: Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso
C: Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Cyprus
E: Egypt
G: Ghana, Greece
I: India, Iran, Islamic Republic of, Iraq, Israel
K: Kuwait
L: Lebanon, Libya
M: Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar
N: Nepal, Niger, Nigeria
O: Oman
P: Pakistan
Q: Qatar
S: Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic
T: Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Turkey
U: United Arab Emirates
Y: Yemen
Please find additional relevant information published on the official site of Australian Government by using the links below.
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/industry-advice/2021/17-2021
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/industry-advice/2021/34-2021