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Please be advised that a revision to the Import Health Standard (IHS) for
Wood Packaging from All Countries is currently under consultation until 18
April 2006 and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) would be pleased
to receive your input. Wood packaging material is defined as wood or wood products (excluding
paper products) used in material supporting, protecting or carrying a commodity.
Wood packaging material includes items such as dunnage, crates, fillets,
spacers, pallets, drums, reels, and gluts. Although exempt from ISPM 15,
peeler cores are regulated by New Zealand MAF under this standard when
they are used for wood packaging. The most important revision is that, upon implementation of this standard,
expected 1 May, 2006, treatment of all wood packaging will be mandatory
and untreated imported wood packaging will be treated, reshipped or destroyed. It is important to note that this requirement applies to both
containerised and uncontainerised/break bulk cargo. The treatment and certification sections have been revised. The treatment
options include both ISPM 15 acceptable treatments and chemical treatments
that have been historically accepted by MAF. It is expected that the
non-ISPM 15 requirements will only be used in certain situations,
principally with break bulk cargo. Given that the non-ISPM 15 treatment
have not been approved under ISPM 15, MAF will review their inclusion in
the standard at the end of the comment period. Wood packaging with bark remains a concern for New Zealand because it
presents an increased risk of being infested with pests; as such bark
freedom will remain a requirement. Wood packaging material contaminated
with bark, soil, or other extraneous organic material (e.g. leaves, twigs)
will have the contaminating material removed (if possible) or treated,
re-shipped or destroyed. The documents can be found at the following link:
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/strategy-and-consultation/consultation/ihs
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