DAFF Biosecurity has received a request from the United States of America (USA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to immediately cease issuing phytosanitary certificates for fuzzy cotton seed for stock feed to the USA treated with methyl-bromide.
APHIS has advised the cessation of this protocol is due to the USA Environmental Protection Agency revoking the tolerance for methyl-bromide in cotton seed for animal feed.
APHIS has also advised that all existing import permits for the export of fuzzy cotton seed to the USA are revoked, effective from Friday 6 January 2012. DAFF Biosecurity is working with APHIS to develop options for an alternative protocol.
For any further details please contact the Grain & Seed Export program on (02) 6272 3229.
David Heinrich
A/g Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations
DAFF - Biosecurity
Email: Grain Export