17 March 2021
Measures To Combat Khapra Beetle in Australia
The Australian Department of Agriculture has introduced mandatory offshore treatment requirements for targeted risk sea containers effective 12th April 2021 (containers exported on or after) to protect Australian agriculture against the Khapra beetle.
The Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) is a destructive pest that can reproduce rapidly in stored products under hot conditions and is considered as a significant biosecurity risk to Australia.
A target risk container is defined as a Full Container Load/Full Container Consolidated (FCL/FCX) where high-risk plant products are packed into the sea container in a Khapra beetle target risk country.
High Risk Countries:
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Bangladesh
Benin
Burkina Faso
Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Cyprus
Egypt
Ghana
Greece
India
Iran, Islamic Rep. of
Iraq
Israel
Kuwait
Lebanon
Libya
Mali
Mauritania
Morocco
Myanmar
Nepal
Niger
Nigeria
Oman
Pakistan
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Somalia
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Syrian Arab Republic
Timor-Leste
Tunisia
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
Yemen
High Risk Plant Products:
Rice (Oryza sativa)
Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum)
Cucurbit seed (Cucurbita, Cucumis, Citrullus spp.)
Cumin seed (Cuminum cyminum)
Safflower seed (Carthamus tinctorius)
Bean seed (Phaseolus spp.)
Soybean (Glycine max)
Mung beans, cowpeas (Vigna spp.)
Lentils (Lens culinaris)
Wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Coriander seed (Coriandrum sativum)
Celery seed (Apium graveolens)
Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea)
Dried chillies/capsicum (Capsicum spp.)
Faba bean (Vicia faba)
Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan)
Pea seed (Pisum sativum)
Fennel seed (Foeniculum spp).
The following exclusions apply to the treatment requirements listed above:
- Goods that are thermally processed that are commercially manufactured and packaged such as retorted, blanched, roasted, fried, par-boiled, boiled, puffed, malted or pasteurised goods.
- Goods that are chemically processed and preserved such as with a Formalin Propionic Acid fixative, Formalin Acetic acid alcohol, Carnoy’s fixative or ethanol.
- Fresh vegetables
- Commercially manufactured frozen or freeze-dried food (perishable foodstuffs only)
- Frozen plant samples for plant research (including through the use of liquid nitrogen and freeze drying)
- Oils derived from vegetables or seed.
- Preserved or pickled (such as in vinegar or alcohol)
- Goods that have been refined or extracted to obtain specific components from plant-based raw materials. Examples include starch, lecithin, protein, cellulose, sugars and pigments.
Containers must be treated offshore prior to packing* using an approved treatment option and accompanied by a valid treatment certificate. Methylbromide Fumigation or Heat Treatment or Insectiside Sprays are approved treatment options for containers carrying the above cargo types and from the specified risk countries.
(*Treatment of containers already loaded with goods is acceptable for methylbromide treatment only.)
Failure to comply with these requirements will result in re-export of the container upon arrival in Australia. All costs incurred in re-exporting the container(s) will be for the merchant’s account.
Detailed information can be found at:
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/industry-advice/2021/34-2021
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/plant/khapra-beetle/sea-container-measures
Should further clarification be required, please contact your local Customer Service representative.