1 March 2024
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise that the instructional material for inspecting forest products has been updated, including requirements for fumigators to be approved to fumigate logs for export to China.
Summary of changes and key points
- The Exports process instruction: Inspection of forest products for export and the Exports work instruction: Inspecting forest products for export have been updated to provide clarification on current policy and include information on added requirements for log exports to China.
- The revised instructional material includes amendments to requirements for:
- cleanliness of machinery that comes into contact with logs
- bearers used for log stockpiles
- recording the source when inspecting from stockpile/s
- inspecting log stockpiles prior to loading
- stockpile inspection
- spacing between stockpiles
- cleaning of logs not presented for inspection on bearers
- fumigation of logs, both process and documentation
- A new application process for fumigators to be approved for treating logs to China is now in place—details are found in the ‘Fumigator responsibilities’ section.
Background
We have made changes to the forest product instructional material (Exports process instruction and Exports work instruction) to clarify treatment requirements for logs. Several amendments to the policy have been made based on feedback received from industry when the policy was implemented.
Requirements for fumigators who are not currently a Biosecurity approved arrangement Class 12.1 and/or 12.2 wishing to be approved for fumigating logs for export to China, have now been finalised and incorporated into the instructional material.
Authorised Officer responsibilities
- Comply with the new instructional material from date of publication.
- Contact the Grain and Seed Exports Program (GSEP) on 02 6272 3229, the AO Hotline on 1800 851 305 or your local Regional Assurance Manager (RAM) should you require support in meeting the new requirements or assistance interpreting the updated instructional material.
Registered establishment operator responsibilities
- Registered establishment operators must use fumigators approved by Grain and Seed Exports Program (GSEP) prior to conducting fumigation of logs for export to China.
- Registered establishment operators must ensure logs for export are stored and moved in a way which meets the requirements.
Fumigator responsibilities
- Fumigators wishing to be approved for the fumigation of logs to China must send the below information to the Grain and Seed Exports Program.
- names of all fumigators applying for approval
Note: Approval is based on an individual basis, not as a company. - scanned copies of the front and back of the state-issued fumigation licence for each fumigator applying for approval
- evidence that all applicants have completed approved training for methyl bromide, and/or completion of the sulfuryl fluoride stewardship program
- statement of consent to have name/s and contact details published as a fumigator approved for fumigating export logs to China, if applicable
Note: It is not mandatory to consent to details being published.
- names of all fumigators applying for approval
- Applicants must complete and pass at least one on-site simulated or actual fumigation audit at a registered establishment either approved to fumigate logs for export to China, or an establishment which is applying for approval to fumigate logs for export to China.
- Establishments where fumigation of logs on-site will take place must have nominated at least one approved fumigator and advised the Grain and Seed Exports Program.
- Notify the Grain and Seed Exports Program at GSEPtreatments@aff.gov.au prior to each fumigation commencement as per Appendix D: Fumigation of logs to China in the Exports process instruction: Inspection of forest products for export.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN, please email Grain and Seed Export Program.
Rossana Carr
Acting Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch