Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has received feedback from members that Italian fumigation providers are potentially suspending operations.
As outlined in previous correspondence and departmental notices, 3 Italian treatment providers have been suspended – we understand that this is a result of live bugs being found in treated shipments arriving in Australia.
We now also understand the following:
that compliance with requirements have been experienced, particularly for "outside" treatment providers (mainly on wharf) facing difficulties reaching the ambient/required temperature during Italian winter season;
the International Fumigation Association (IFA) has called for a meeting with the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources - now scheduled on 14 January 2019 in Italy to discuss the compliance issues and reasons for suspension of 3 of their members;
the department has not received any treatment certificates from any Italian Treatment providers since 21 December – potentially indicating a movement in solidarity with a stop in all treatments until the meeting on 14 January 2019.
The department has confirmed that a meeting will take place on 14 January 2019 but have not received any formal advice from the IFA on any stop to treatments.
We encourage members to keep sharing any information received from overseas suppliers – FTA will provide further detail on this important development as detail becomes available. |
|