Stink Bugs: A refresher on keeping shipments safe
Stink bug season is long and though they are tiny bugs, they require dedicated attention. Here is everything you need to know about brown marmorated sting bugs (BMSB).
Every year from September 1 to April 30, what has been named ‘stink bug season’ occurs. Any cargo loaded during this period from contamination-risk countries, and that have Australia and New Zealand as destinations are subject to BMSB measures.
Stink bugs are resilient little creatures, and they seek shelter for overwintering which makes ships and cargo the ideal hiding places.
The rapid expansion of the stink bug is a growing international concern.Native to East Asia, the bug has now migrated to the US, Canada and Europe, where its ruin of crop harvests has had a significant economic impact.
Measures are being taken to prevent the BMSB from entering Australia, New Zealand, Papeete and Nouméa, where its impact on the ecosystem would be catastrophic.
Safety first: ensuring that stink bugs don’t enter at-risk areas
As stink bugs pose such a serious biohazard threat to countries, like Australia, it is vital that efficient measures are in place to catch them all and thus eliminating the risk of contamination.
All products traveling to these destinations during stink bug season must undergo either a heat treatment or a stringent fumigation process using Sulfuryl Fluoride. These measures eradicate any BMSBs hidden in products.
Regulation states that the product owner must ensure products are treated. Ensuring compliance with biosecurity regulation is the responsibility of the importer, whilst presenting clean products and a treatment certificate at the port of load is the responsibility of the shipper or exporter.
How we deal with stink bugs at Wallenius Wilhelmsen
We are committed to ensuring compliance with all biosecurity regulations. That means that we only accept products certified as treated in line with the relevant regulations.
All treated goods must be accompanied with a valid treatment certificate issued by providers recognized by the Authorities and listed on the Official Treatment Provider Scheme. Wallenius Wilhelmsen reject goods that are not complaint with the DAFF/MPI regulations.