Alerts

As per IIAN 239-2023: Recognition of Canadian Heat-Treated Wood Products Certification Program to manage BMSB.

The department recognises that brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) contamination is managed on consignments of sawn wood/timber that are produced through the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) Canadian Heat Treated Wood Products Certification Program (HT Program) between 1 December and 30 April each year.

This recognition means that the BMSB seasonal measures will not apply to sawn wood/timber produced through the HT Program and exported between these dates.

Importers utilising this pathway will need to provide the required documentation for assessment and use a specific AEI code when lodging their consignment in the Integrated Cargo System (ICS). Import conditions, including documentation requirements and the AEI code, will be published in approximately mid-November, 2023, in the BICON cases: 'Timber and timber products'; and 'Logs, log cabins and oversize timber'.

BMSB management:

• The BMSB season is from 1 September to 30 April each year.
• Sawn wood/timber produced through the HT program will be subject to BMSB measures if produced and exported between 1 September – 30 November.
• Sawn wood/timber certified as being produced under the HT Program between 1 December (and consequently exported after 1 December) and 30 April of the BMSB season will not be subject to BMSB measures. From 1 December each year in the northern hemisphere, BMSB does not further contaminate goods.
• BMSB contamination is managed through handling and processing that occurs during production of heat treated sawn wood/timber through the HT Program after 1 December.

Importing requirements for HT program goods:
Currently, goods produced under the HT program meet commodity import conditions and can be imported if certified by a ‘Heat Treatment Certificate for Countries Other than European Union’. However, no BMSB exemptions apply for goods certified with this certificate.

When the new import conditions are published in mid-November, the current certification requirements will be replaced by a new requirement for a ‘Heat Treatment Certificate for Exports to Australia’.

Importers should ensure that their suppliers are aware of the requirements for the importation of HT Program goods and are able to obtain the correct certification. Details of the HT Program and certification requirements can be found in the CFIA Directive D-13-01.

The certificate will need to include:

• the botanical name of the sawn wood/timber (year-round requirement)
• evidence that the wood has been heat treated to at least 56°C at its core for a minimum of 30 continuous minutes (year-round requirement)
• the following statement: ‘The sawn wood in this shipment was surfaced on all four sides, trimmed and inspected and is free from brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys)' if the goods are produced and exported between 1 December and 30 April.

When the change occurs to import conditions for HT Program goods occurs, the department recognises that goods may have been exported with the current certification requirements and be in transit. Procedures will be in place to manage assessment of these goods for a limited time.

Who does this alert affect:

Importers of Canadian timber products, brokers and Pathway Operations Cargo - Assessments and Inspections.