24 May 2012
DAFF Biosecurity has been advised by the National Plant Protection Organisation of Bangladesh, the Department of Agricultural Extension, Plant Protection Wing, of new import conditions for wheat which provides an alternative to requiring treatment details endorsed on the phytosanitary certificate.
DAFF Biosecurity retains the policy of not certifying in-transit fumigation details on phytosanitary certificates and maintains a strong preference for fumigation to occur onshore prior to loading. However, as an interim arrangement to facilitate trade to this market, pending further negotiation with Bangladesh, DAFF Biosecurity will endorse commercial treatment certificates for treatments applied prior to departure through the issuance of a certificate as to condition, if treatment cannot occur onshore.
Exporter’s responsibilities
- Ensure that the fumigator is accredited under the Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme or has a fumigation license issued by the relevant State or Territory Authority
- Prior to departure provide DAFF Biosecurity with:
- Permit issued by the APVMA allowing use of fumigant in-transit
- Monitoring probe locations and depths
- Fumigation monitoring points and locations
- Procedures for recording monitoring results
- Recirculation method
- Method of sealing holds during fumigation
- Method of clearing the fumigant from the consignment
- Method used to provide gas free certification
- Provide DAFF Biosecurity with documentary evidence that the treatment occurred, which may include visual media, and a treatment certificate from the licensed fumigator with the following details:
- Dosage, temperature and duration of treatment in accordance with Bangladesh’s import conditions
- Vessel name, destination and holds loaded
- Commodity and quantity
- Signed by a licensed fumigator with contact details provided
- The details specified on the treatment certificate need to accord with the monitoring records maintained by the licensed fumigator. On request these records must be provided to DAFF Biosecurity
Authorised officer’s responsibilities
- Authorised officers must inspect the grain and be satisfied that there are no live insects, weed seeds, soil and extraneous material and there is no other reason to reject the consignment under the Export Control (Plants and Plant Products) 2011
If all other import conditions for Bangladesh have been satisfied DAFF Biosecurity can issue a phytosanitary certificate without endorsing treatment details and a declaration and certificate as to condition (EX188) with the fumigation certificate attached stating ‘The fumigation of [ enter vessel name and voyage number ] was conducted in-transit by a licensed fumigator in accordance with Bangladesh import conditions.’ Please refer to Attachment 1: Sample Declaration and Certificate as to Condition.
Micor will be updated with these new conditions and compliance with import conditions is required for phytosanitary certificates and other government certificates to be issued.
Exporters of wheat to this market should contact the Grain & Export program on 02) 6272 3229 to ensure they are able to meet the fumigation requirements prior to shipment.
Kylie Calhoun
A/g Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations
Contact Grain Export