The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) season has begun effective 1 September 2020. As usual, Australia and New Zealand authorities have set out their requirements for the current season 2020/21  to ensure that these bugs are kept out of their countries. BMSBs are a serious pest and pose a threat to the country’s agricultural industries and are frequently found in goods carried as sea-freight upon arrival.

The measures are imposed on a targeted list of risk-countries where these goods come from. For the current season 2020/21, both countries have now added Kazakhstan, Moldova, Portugal and Ukraine, making a total of 37 countries on the list now. In addition, the following countries have been identified as emerging risk countries and may be selected for a random onshore inspection:

Belarus, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, United Kingdom and Chile

The governments are also monitoring other countries through a lower rate of random inspections and this includes all remaining European countries, China, Korea, Taiwan, Argentina, South Africa and Uruguay.

For full details and information on the BMSB requirements and target list of BMSB-risk countries imposed by Australia and NZ, please go to our BIMCO section on Asian Gypsy Moth & Phytosanitary restrictions / Brown marmorated stink bug regulations

The Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) season has struck again. It starts from late May to September which is considered the high risk AGM period.  So a vessel which has called at a port in the regulated AGM area during the specified risk period of the current or previous year will be considered a vessel of high AGM risk. These vessels are required to comply with the relevant AGM regulations ( for example, a so-called AGM approved certificate) issued by the regulating countries, namely, Australia, Canada, Chile, USA and New Zealand. 

Members are advised to refer to our AGM section for information and guidance. 

Australian Brown marmorated Stink Bugs (BMSBs) requirements

BMSBs pose a high biosecurity risk to Australia. This is an invasive pest, native to Asia, and is highly capable of hitchhiking, highly mobile in nature and lack of effective lures. They can severely impact the Australian agricultural industries as well as a nuisance pest to homes, vehicles and factories, seeking shelter in these areas over the winter. They are more frequently found on goods arriving in Australia between September and April, coinciding with the late autumn and winter seasons in the northern hemisphere. 

Due to the high risks posed by BMSBs, the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) has introduced seasonal measures to manage these risks. These seasonal measures will apply between 1 September 2018 and 30 April 2019; both dates inclusive.

Vessels

Heightened surveillance on all roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) and general cargo vessels through additional pre-arrival reporting with a BMSB questionnaire and daily checks conducted by vessel masters.

Target risk countries 

Any target high risk or target risk goods manufactured in, or shipped from these countries are subject to the BMSB seasonal measures.  Any vessel that tranships or loads goods from these countries are also subject to heightened vessel surveillance:

• United States of America
• Italy
• Germany
• France
• Russia
• Greece
• Hungary
• Romania
• Georgia
• Japan (heightened vessel surveillance will be the only measure applied).

Target high risk or target risk goods 

Some goods manufactured in, or shipped from the target risk countries as sea cargo have been identified as target high risk or target risk goods. To view the list as well as how these goods should be subject to BMSB treatments, please click on this DAWR link here 

Throughout the season, the measures based on detections of BMSB and the risk pathways would be continuously reviewed.

New Zealand BMSB requirements

For BMST requirements in New Zealand, please to the Biosecurity New Zealand website

Chilean BMSB requirements

Servicio Agricola y Ganadero (SAG) Resolution No. 971/2018 (Spanish only)

Members operating ships to Australia, New Zealand and Chile are urged to familiarise themselves of the above BMSB requirements and compliance.

Trading restrictions imposed by Australia

• Russia

• Asian Gypsy Moth Regulations
  See: Australian Asian Gypsy Moth Regulations
• Fiji: Arms embargo
• Iranian sanctions
  On 29 July 2010, the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade announced new sanctions  against Iran supplementing existing United Nations Security Council sanctions against Iran.
  The new measures include
  • Targeted financial sanctions: Restrictions on financial transactions involving designated individuals and entities which contribute to Iran's nuclear and missile programs; or assist Iran to violate its sanctions obligations.
  • Travel restrictions: Restrictions on visas to travel to Australia by individuals who contribute to Iran's nuclear and missile programs; or assist Iran to violate its sanctions obligations.
  • Arms and strategic goods and services embargo: The range of goods and services prohibited for supply to Iran has been expanded to include any items, or related services, that could contribute to Iran’s nuclear or missile programs, as well as heavy military equipment. In addition, the Iran Regulations now prohibit the transfer of technology or technical assistance to Iran related to ballistic missiles.
  • The new sanctions also prohibit the provision of bunkering services for Iranian vessels without prior authorisation from the Foreign Minister.
• Democratic People's Republic of Korea sanctions
  Vessels flying the DPR Korean flag are banned from Australian ports since 10 October 2006.
• United Nations Security Council Resolutions