Alerts

Importers, brokers and fumigators are advised that from the 19 September 2016 the department will be conducting post-fumigation inspections for consignments that are found to be infested with live insects. Consignments infested with live insects will be re-inspected 24 hours after methyl bromide fumigation. This hold time is required as insect mortality may occur sometime after treatment.

Consignments will be selected from each fumigator for post-fumigation inspections at the following rates:

• Cut flowers – 10 consignments with live insects detected prior to fumigation
  

• Fresh Produce – 5 consignments with live insects detected prior to fumigation
  

This verification activity forms part of an ongoing review of cut flower and fresh produce import pathways. The data collected will help inform the department of the effectiveness of methyl bromide fumigation and current fumigation practice.

Importers will be charged for the additional inspection as per the department's charging guidelines (http://www.agriculture.gov.au/fees/charging-guidelines).

Importers who continue to import clean material will not be affected by post-fumigation verification inspections.

For additional information please contact Plant Import Operations Branch at imports@agriculture.gov.au or phone 1800 900 090.