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Case Glossary

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Case: Timber and timber products Effective 02 Jul 2022 to 07 Jul 2022

Glossary

The following provides a definition of words or phrases that are found within the text. Some of these have a special meaning in relation to the importation or treatment of goods entering Australia and may be important to understand in meeting the requirements for import.

Term Definition
Approved Arrangement Site (AA Site)

An arrangement approved under Section 406 of the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cwlth) which permits a biosecurity industry participant to carry out specified activities to manage biosecurity risks associated with particular goods, premises or other things.
Evidence

As evidence, the documents provided must clearly identify that the product is listed on the wooden product table. Goods must be the same type of item on the list, it is not sufficient for items to be considered similar or of similar risk. Where items are not specifically matching that listed, an assessment will be made by the biosecurity officer assessing the consignment as to whether or not the item is of low enough biosecurity risk to be released.
goods

Goods include:

  1. An animal
  2. A plant
  3. A sample or specimen of a disease agent
  4. A pest
  5. Mail; and
  6. Any other article substance or thing.

Goods does not include ballast water or human remains. It also does not include a conveyance, except in certain circumstances.
variable times

The wet bulb depression (the maximum decrease allowed between the dry and the wet bulb temperatures) is less than 2°C (3.6°F).

Treatment time does not commence until the temperature and humidity in the chamber have stabilised and the core temperature of the timber has reached at least 74°C (165°F).

The duration of the treatment will depend on the thickness of the timber (refer to the table below). 'Thickness' is defined here as the distance between spacers in the stack, regardless of the thickness of the individual boards.

Table

Thickness of Timber (mm)

Duration of Treatment (Hours)

0 - 25

4

26 - 50

6

51 - 75

8

76 - 100

10

101 - 150

14

151 - 200

18

Thickness unknown

Refer to 1. below

Thickness greater than 200mm

Refer to 2. below

  1. If the thickness of the timber is not stated on the treatment certificate or is unknown, a verification inspection at an appropriate approved arrangement site is required to ensure that the timber has at least one dimension less than or equal to 200mm [refer to point 2 below], and to verify that the treatment has been effective.
  2. Where all the dimensions of the timber are greater than 200mm mandatory treatment is required. The treatment duration must exceed 18 hours once a core temperature of 74°C has been reached.

Treatment certificates and phytosanitary certificates must include the duration of treatment, the treatment temperature and the maximum thickness of timber being treated. If the treatment certificate is issued by a treatment provider accredited under a Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry recognised offshore government program or its equivalent, the certificate must also include the name of the program under which the treatment provider is accredited and the facility registration number or treatment provider number issued under that program.