Improved import requirements help manage BMSB risk

KVH continues to advocate strongly on behalf of the industry for strict and appropriate biosecurity border controls, and we’re pleased with the recent announcement from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) of amendments to requirements for the import of vehicles, machinery and other equipment including tyres, from Italy.

During the 2016/2017 risk period, MPI recorded 152 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) interception events associated with finds of both dead and live BMSB on new and used items. MPI inspectors were unable to differentiate between those insects that may have been dead or live on reaching the New Zealand border as fumigation was also conducted immediately after arrival and would have killed any live specimens.

Italy was found to be the origin of 57% of these interception events, and of the 17 BMSB aggregations (larger groups of insects) that were found, 13 (76%) were of Italian origin. MPI are also aware that in areas with high BMSB populations, vehicles and machinery that are manufactured or stored there are highly infested. For example, one vehicle brand of Italian origin was found to be 50% infested with BMSB at the port of export.

To manage the significant risk of BMSB infestation in these items, the Import Health Standard – which specifies the requirements that must be met to manage biosecurity risk associated with importing goods and getting biosecurity clearance for them – has been modified to include more targeted measures around fumigation and making sure that MPI approved management systems are used.

The new requirements apply for the duration of the high-risk season of September 2017 through to April 2018. MPI has signalled that it intends to further revise the standard, in consultation with importers and exporters, before the end of April 2018 to ensure potential BMSB risk continues to be well managed. KVH will also be involved in this process.