AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND: BROWN MARMORATED STINK BUG (BMSB) SEASONAL PRECAUTIONS

Published: 10 September 2020

In response to the threats posed by BMSB, Australia and New Zealand’s BMSB seasonal measures have been strengthened to manage the threat of BMSB arriving in Australia and New Zealand during 2020–21 BMSB risk season. BMSB are frequently found in goods carried as sea-freight, and pose a threat to agricultural industries. The season has begun as of 1 September 2020.

For the 2020-21 BMSB risk season, heightened biosecurity measures will apply to:

  • Certain goods manufactured in, or shipped from target risk countries, and/or
  • Vessels that berth at, load or tranship from target risk countries.

The measures apply to goods shipped from 1 September 2020 that arrive in Australian (and New Zealand) territory by 31 May 2021 (inclusive). Goods shipped between 1 September 2020 and 30 April 2021 need to be treated and will be referred for intervention if they arrive by 31 May 2021 (inclusive).

The list of risk countries includes most European countries together with the US and Canada, and heightened vessel surveillance if from Japan. For the current season Kazakhstan, Moldova, Portugal and Ukraine have been added to the targeted list of risk-countries where these goods originate. Goods from the following emerging risk countries may also be selected for a random onshore inspection: Belarus, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, United Kingdom and Chile.

Further details are available on the website of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity New Zealand.

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