DAWR - Interim Measures for Goods Treated with Sulfuryl Fluoride Fumigation       

Further to previous updates in AFIF Weekly News, regarding DAWR WHS issues with officers inspection of containers treated with Sulfuryl Fluoride, DAWR has released  the following Notice IAN 15-2019 - Interim Measures for Goods Treated with Sulfuryl Fluoride Fumigation. Page Content

DAWR IAN 15-2019 - 5 February 2019                                            

Who does this notice affect?

Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including freight forwarders, treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers, licensed fumigators and principle agents associated with containers and unpacking of goods that require biosecurity intervention.

What has changed?                                            

A review of current WHS measures has resulted in an interim measure relating to consignments that have been treated with sulfuryl fluoride and require the following biosecurity inspection:

  • seals intact
  • supervised unpack
  • tailgate inspection

These measures do not apply to:

  • break-bulk
  • machinery
  • containerised goods deconsolidated by an AA operator without a biosecurity officer present

Industry will be responsible for arranging a third party sulfuryl fluoride detection and monitoring operator (SF operator) to be present at the biosecurity inspection to monitor for sulfuryl fluoride as follows:

If the presence of sulfuryl fluoride...

Then...

is 3ppm or less

  • the SF operator issues a gas-free certificate
  • the Biosecurity officer can approach to undertake the inspection.

is greater than 3ppm

  • the container or goods must be allowed to vent before a subsequent reading is taken by the SF operator

On initial assessment of documents for containers/goods fumigated with sulfuryl fluoride the department will apply the following direction comments:

  • Industry to request a to-meet biosecurity inspection appointment.
  • Industry to arrange an approved third party sulfuryl fluoride detection provider to be present at the biosecurity inspection.

The Sulfuryl Fluoride Register lists providers who are approved to conduct sulfuryl fluoride detection and monitoring services during biosecurity inspection.

All costs associated with the third party sulfuryl fluoride detection provider are the responsibility of the industry and the SF provider must invoice industry directly.

Importers shipping consignments to Australia should ensure their stakeholders are aware of the above requirements prior to shipping.                          

Further information

Full Notice -                                         

DAWR IAN - 15-2019 - Interim measures for goods treated with sulfuryl fluoride fumigation  

 

Regards                                            

AFIF Team