15 January 2016
Purpose
To advise Australian exporters that the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (department) has obtained a minor use permit for methyl bromide for fumigation of plants and plant products to meet importing countries quarantine requirements.
Background
Mandatory methyl bromide fumigation is used for quarantine purposes in Australia to meet importing country quarantine requirements. A number of importing countries require fumigation with methyl bromide at higher than the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicine Authority (APVMA) approved label rates. This is problematic for Australian exporters as fumigators must obtain a minor use permit to fumigate contrary to approved label rates. It also creates difficulties for the APVMA in issuing a number of minor use permits to a range of fumigators.
To facilitate off-label fumigation to meet importing country requirements, the department has obtained a minor use permit from the APVMA for methyl bromide fumigation of plant and plant products intended for export. Licenced fumigators are now able to use the department’s permit for fumigation of plants and plant products intended for export when fumigating to meet importing countries mandatory fumigation requirements.
Key points
- The department obtained a minor use permit for licenced fumigators treating plants and plant products with methyl bromide at a rate required by an importing country that is in excess of the APVMA approved label rates.
- The minor use permit allows methyl bromide fumigation up to 128 g/m3.
- This permit cannot be used for in-transit fumigation of plants and plant products intended for export.
- This permit can be used for disinfestation of empty vessels, empty containers, furnishing, conveyances, machinery and packaging materials as directed or authorised by the Export Control Act 1982.
- Refer to PER82204 Permit to allow use of an agvet chemical product for details.
If you require further information, please contact the Grain and Seed Export Program on 02 6272 3229 or email Grain Export
Peter Creaser
A/g Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch