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  7. 2023
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2023-49: Grain and Seed Exports Program—Registration of establishments and fumigators for exporting logs to China

8 August 2023

Purpose

This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise of the additional registration requirements in line with the GACC’s (General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China) updated phytosanitary requirements for exporting logs to China.

Summary and key points

  • The following instructional material has been updated to include information regarding the export of logs with and without bark to China:
    • Guideline: Inspection of forest products for export,
    • Work Instruction: Inspecting forest products for export and
    • Micor case for exporting logs to China
  • Updated instructional material includes:
    • clarification on Authorised Officer (AO) sampling
    • inspection requirements
    • fumigation requirements
    • registered establishment requirements
    • the application process and prerequisites.
  • Embargoed versions of updated instructional material have been published on the Plant Export Operations Manual for perusal by industry and AOs. The new instructional material must be complied with from Monday, 14 August 2023.
  • Registered establishments intending to export to China must apply and undergo an audit by us prior to approval.
  • All fumigations of logs to China must be done according to the Methyl bromide fumigation methodology (or Sulfuryl fluoride fumigation methodology).
  • Additional fumigation requirements also apply as outlined in the Draft forest products Guideline: Inspection of forest products for export, Draft Work Instruction: Inspecting forest products for export and the relevant Micor case.
  • Fumigation of logs for export to China in bulk vessel holds require a fumigation plan that must be approved by GSEP prior to the commencement of loading the holds and each fumigation event.

Background

Instructional material was previously updated in December 2020 including information on inspection and fumigation for exports of logs to all markets including updated requirements for China.

GACC recently confirmed that it would accept Australia’s proposal for resumption of log exports to China based on additional phytosanitary requirements. Requirements outlined in this IAN are to ensure Australian log exports meet the latest Chinese phytosanitary requirements.

Consignments of logs to China will not be authorised/issued phytosanitary certification by us if:

  • fumigation certificates are issued by non-approved fumigators, or fumigation has occurred at a non-approved registered establishment, or where a bulk vessel has not been given approval for in-hold fumigation by GSEP, and/or
  • logs were not subject to the increased re-inspection rate for logs to China by AOs, and/or
  • logs were not inspected at an establishment registered for inspecting logs to China.

Authorised officer responsibilities

  • AO must inspect logs for export to China as per the methods and rates outlined in the Guideline: Inspection of forest products for export and Work Instruction: Inspecting forest products for export. These inspection rates were updated in late 2020.
  • AOs should familiarise themselves with the ‘Draft’ instructional materials and the changes that will take effect as of Monday, 14 August 2023.
  • AOs must ensure that any logs touching the ground when stored on soil surfaces fail inspection, and must be subject to cleaning and re-inspection prior to packing and export.
  • AOs must check the fumigation certificate and ensure all required information as per instructional material is included.

Registered establishment operator responsibilities

  • Registered establishment operators should familiarise themselves with the ‘Draft’ instructional materials and the changes that will take effect as of Monday, 14 August 2023.
  • Inspection and fumigation of logs (with and without bark) for export to China must be completed at an approved registered establishment with the relevant overseas country code CLNG. Additional requirements apply including:
    • establishments where inspection and fumigation are being undertaken require the registered function GLGCN (inspection of logs for China) and the fumigation registered function (GFUMI), unless the fumigation occurs in a bulk vessel hold.
    • where fumigation is to be done in vessel hold – the initial inspection establishment must have the registered function GLGCN (inspection of logs for China).
  • Application for registration to export to China must be made by the registered establishment operator by contacting the Grain and Seed Exports Program (GSEP) to be assessed and scheduled for an audit.
  • Registered establishment operators must use fumigators that are approved by GSEP prior to conducting fumigation of logs for export to China.  
    • GSEP will recognise fumigators registered as a Biosecurity approved arrangement Class 12.1 and 12.2 as equivalent to GSEPs fumigator approval requirements.
    • Establishment operators planning to fumigate logs for export to China must ensure an appropriate area is available, in accordance with the requirements outlined in the instructional material.
    • Establishment fumigation sites must be approved by the GSEP.

Fumigator responsibilities

  • All fumigators will need to be approved by GSEP prior to conducting fumigation of logs for export to China. Applications can be sent to Grain and Seed Exports Program.  
  • With the aim of implementing trade as soon as possible, GSEP will recognise fumigators registered as a Biosecurity approved arrangement Class 12.1 and 12.2 as equivalent to GSEPs fumigator approval requirements for methyl bromide and sulfuryl fluoride fumigation respectively.
  • All fumigations of logs to China must be done according to the Methyl bromide fumigation methodology (or Sulfuryl fluoride fumigation methodology).
  • Additional fumigation requirements also apply as outlined in the Draft Guideline: Inspection of forest products for export, Draft Work Instruction: Inspecting forest products for export and the relevant Micor case.
  • Temperature of the logs and forecast minimum ambient temperature must be taken into consideration for fumigations.
  • Fumigation certificates for logs to China must endorse all required information as outlined in the Draft Guideline: Inspection of forest products for export.
  • For bulk vessel hold fumigation, approval must have been given for in-hold fumigation by GSEP. Note: Approval is given on a case by case basis for each Request for Permit (RFP) —approval for one fumigation event is not transferrable to another, even if the fumigation will occur on the same vessel.
  • Fumigators must send a fumigation plan to Grain and Seed Exports Program for each fumigation event.
    Note: All details outlined in the Draft Guideline: Inspection of forest products for export must be included in the fumigation plan.
  • The fumigation plan must be explicitly approved by GSEP prior to fumigation commencement.
    Note: Logs to China require mandatory re-inspection after fumigation in accordance with instructional material.

Contact information

If you have any questions regarding this IAN, please email the Grain and Seed Exports Program.

Rossana Carr
Acting Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch

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Page last updated: 11 August 2023

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

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