Import Conditions Database - ICON

Change to import conditions for untreated timber of Pine and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menzesii) timber from the USA

Consignments of sawn timber, roundwood and logs of Pinus species, (including Monterey and Ponderosa Pine timbers) and Douglas Fir originating from the USA arriving on or after 7^th June 2004 will be subject to mandatory treatments. Importers will need to ensure that all consignments of timber of these species imported into Australia from the USA have undergone one of the following AQIS-approved treatments that are listed in the AQIS Import Condition database (ICON) available on the AQIS Website

· Kiln sterilisation of timber (ICON reference T9912),

· Gamma irradiation at the rate of 25kGray (ICON reference T9651), or

· Heat treatment at 56 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes, as measured at the core of the wood, regardless of residual moisture content (ICON reference T9968).

AQIS requires that treatment T9968 must be performed by an AQIS-approved treatment provider.

At present there are no AQIS approved providers in the USA and in order to address this requirement and to minimise impacts upon industry, AQIS will temporarily accept timber treated according to T9968 by providers in the USA that are accredited under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-authorised American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC) heat treatment programs for timber and wood packing. This temporary recognition will be valid until 1 December 2004. In the interim, AQIS will complete a review of ALSC heat treatment programs to determine if they are able to meet AQIS requirements in the longer term.

Treatment certification for Douglas fir and Pinus spp. timber from the USA that has undergone treatment T9968 must contain the following additional information:

· The name of the program that the treatment provider is accredited under (i.e. the American Lumber Standards Committee programs for sawn timber)

· The full details of the treatment; and

· The registration number issued to the treatment provider under the relevant program.

This change to import conditions is the result of the confirmed discovery of Pine Pitch Canker (Fusarium circinatum) on imported Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menzesii) nursery stock of US origin in New Zealand. Pine Pitch Canker, if introduced into Australia would have a severe impact on Pinus radiata plantations and associated forest industries.

This discovery in New Zealand triggered a review of current AQIS import conditions, as described in ICON, to determine whether they were adequate to address the risk presented by this disease to Australia. The review identified that the permitted quarantine treatments were inadequate. In addition, it indicated that nursery stock, cones, seeds, roots, timber, dunnage and/or bark of host species from the USA all had the potential to introduce Pine Pitch Canker to Australia.

An Import Risk Analysis (IRA) is also being carried out by Biosecurity Australia to assess the risk posed by these and other coniferous products from the USA more comprehensively. AQIS will keep industry informed about the outcome of the ALSC heat treatment program review, as well any further changes to the import conditions for these products.

For more information contact: Karol Andrzejewski, Import Clearance, AQIS Canberra Ph. (02) 6272 5116.

	The information here covers AQIS quarantine requirements only and is current on the date of transmission but may change without notice. AQIS makes no warranties or representations with respect to the accuracy or completeness of that information and will bear no liability with respect to that information. Importers must satisfy quarantine concerns and comply with quarantine conditions applicable at the time of entry. The Commonwealth through AQIS is not liable for any costs arising from or associated with decisions of importers to import based on conditions presented here which are not current at the time of importation. It is the importer’s responsibility to verify the accuracy and completeness of the information at the time of importation. It is the importer’s responsibility to identify and to ensure it has complied with, all requirements of any other regulatory and advisory bodies prior to and after importation including the Australian Customs Service, Therapeutic Goods Administration, Department of Health and Ageing, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority and any State agencies such as Departments of Agriculture and Health and Environmental Protection authorities. Importers should note that this list is not exhaustive. Importers should also note that all foods imported into Australia must comply with the provisions of the Imported Food Control Act 1992 , an Act which is administered by AQIS. Notification of the import must be provided to AQIS for all imported goods other than goods imported as accompanied baggage or goods imported via the mail and not prescribed under the Customs Act 1901. Notification must be consistent with Quarantine Regulations 2000 (examples include a Quarantine Entry or a Quarantine declaration).

	Public Quarantine Alert PQA0325

	*Change to import conditions for untreated timber of Pine and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menzesii) timber from the USA* Consignments of sawn timber, roundwood and logs of Pinus species, (including Monterey and Ponderosa Pine timbers) and Douglas Fir originating from the USA arriving on or after 7^th June 2004 will be subject to mandatory treatments. Importers will need to ensure that all consignments of timber of these species imported into Australia from the USA have undergone one of the following AQIS-approved treatments that are listed in the AQIS Import Condition database (ICON) available on the AQIS Website · Kiln sterilisation of timber (ICON reference T9912), · Gamma irradiation at the rate of 25kGray (ICON reference T9651), or · Heat treatment at 56 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes, as measured at the core of the wood, regardless of residual moisture content (ICON reference T9968). AQIS requires that treatment T9968 must be performed by an AQIS-approved treatment provider. At present there are no AQIS approved providers in the USA and in order to address this requirement and to minimise impacts upon industry, AQIS will temporarily accept timber treated according to T9968 by providers in the USA that are accredited under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-authorised American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC) heat treatment programs for timber and wood packing. This temporary recognition will be valid until 1 December 2004. In the interim, AQIS will complete a review of ALSC heat treatment programs to determine if they are able to meet AQIS requirements in the longer term. Treatment certification for Douglas fir and Pinus spp. timber from the USA that has undergone treatment T9968 must contain the following additional information: · The name of the program that the treatment provider is accredited under (i.e. the American Lumber Standards Committee programs for sawn timber) · The full details of the treatment; and · The registration number issued to the treatment provider under the relevant program. This change to import conditions is the result of the confirmed discovery of Pine Pitch Canker (Fusarium circinatum) on imported Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menzesii) nursery stock of US origin in New Zealand. Pine Pitch Canker, if introduced into Australia would have a severe impact on Pinus radiata plantations and associated forest industries. This discovery in New Zealand triggered a review of current AQIS import conditions, as described in ICON, to determine whether they were adequate to address the risk presented by this disease to Australia. The review identified that the permitted quarantine treatments were inadequate. In addition, it indicated that nursery stock, cones, seeds, roots, timber, dunnage and/or bark of host species from the USA all had the potential to introduce Pine Pitch Canker to Australia. An Import Risk Analysis (IRA) is also being carried out by Biosecurity Australia to assess the risk posed by these and other coniferous products from the USA more comprehensively. AQIS will keep industry informed about the outcome of the ALSC heat treatment program review, as well any further changes to the import conditions for these products. For more information contact: Karol Andrzejewski, Import Clearance, AQIS Canberra Ph. (02) 6272 5116.