Quarantine risks associated with solid wood packaging materials receiving ISPM 15 treatments

Abstract

Summary Surveys on solid wood packaging material (SWPM) such as crates, dunnage or pallets (pieces) displaying the ISPM 15 stamp under the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15: Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade (ISPM 15) were conducted by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) during 2005 and 2006 at various locations in Australia. These surveys were to evaluate the quarantine risks and or performance of SWPM receiving ISPM IS treatments and the proportion of untreated SWPM used in air and break-bulk cargo. About 20000 crates, dunnage or pallets (pieces) used in containerised sea cargo were inspected in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Nine percent of SWPM surveyed exhibited something of quarantine concern; of this bark represented 8.5%, fungi 5.9% and live insects, frass and soil, 3.2%, 2.8% and 1.7% respectively — these categories not being mutually exclusive. Before the introduction of mandatory treatment requirements, a large amount of SWPM entering by less-frequented routes such as air and break-bulk cargo was not ISPM 15-compliant or did not receive any treatment. Ongoing review of the ISPM 15 standard and its existing treatments, as well as auditing regimes for treatment providers, are essential to continue to improve the standard and reduce the risk of pests using SWPM as an entry pathway.