Prepare for the fast approaching 23/24 stink bug season

The start of the risk season for Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (BMSB) in Australia and New Zealand is September 1st. This year, China and the United Kingdom have been identified as 'emerging stink bug risk countries.'

Consequently, vessels carrying certain goods from these countries may undergo random onshore inspections upon arrival in New Zealand.

Download our PDF guide, here.

Why is the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug a problem?

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (BMSB), also known as Halyomorpha halys, are agricultural pests that cause significant damage to fruit and vegetable crops. While they have established populations in North America and Europe, they are not yet widespread in countries like New Zealand and Australia.

BMSB are considered "hitchhiker pests" that spread through international trade via oceangoing vessels. During winter months, adult BMSB seek shelter from the cold and often find their way into shipping containers, vehicles, machinery, and other types of cargo.

The BMSB requirements primarily target importers, holding them responsible for ensuring proper treatment and certification of certain types of cargo from countries with established BMSB populations. Ship operators and crews must also be aware of the seasonal measures related to BMSB to prevent infestations and report any detections to quarantine authorities at the destination.

If you are unsure whether the insect onboard your vessels is a Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, you can find out by clicking here.

New Zealand and Australia collaborate to keep this pest at bay.

In response to the rapid spread of BMSB in Europe and North America, New Zealand and Australia enforce seasonal measures to prevent the entry of stink bugs into their countries. The two nations have closely aligned their requirements, including targeted risk countries, approved treatment options, and offshore treatment providers. However, differences in regulations and policies result in variations in requirements and port-of-entry procedures. Therefore, all stakeholders involved in import and shipping industries, including ship masters and crew, must be familiar with each country's specific requirements to ensure compliance.

The risk season for this year starts on September 1, 2023. We encourage our clients to visit the BMSB websites for detailed and up-to-date information on seasonal measures:

• Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
• New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries

While the overall framework of measures remains unchanged from the previous season, the following points should be noted:

• Seasonal measures apply to certain goods, such as vehicles, machinery parts, and tires, manufactured in or shipped from targeted risk countries on or after September 1, 2023, and arriving in New Zealand or Australia before April 30, 2024.
• The shipped onboard date, as indicated on the bill of lading, determines the shipment date.
• At present, no new countries have been added to the list of targeted risk countries for the 2023/24 BMSB risk season. The current list includes 38 countries from the previous season.

However, China and the United Kingdom have been identified as 'emerging risk countries.' Therefore, vessels carrying goods manufactured in, shipped from, or transhipped in these countries may undergo random onshore inspections upon arrival in Australia or New Zealand.

Australian and New Zealand authorities pay particular attention to roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessels berthing, loading, or transhipping in targeted risk countries during the BMSB risk season. New Zealand also focuses on goods imported from Italy.

To align treatment options, rates, and compliance requirements, all BMSB treatment providers in targeted risk countries must be registered under the joint Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme. Information about this scheme can be obtained from the BMSB websites of both countries.

It is important to note that New Zealand and Australia will not conduct BMSB treatments for each other. Goods bound for Australia cannot be treated for BMSB in New Zealand, and vice versa.

Non-compliant goods, including those requiring mandatory offshore treatment, that arrive untreated or treated by an unapproved provider, are likely to be directed for export upon arrival or may not be allowed off the ship in New Zealand.

The risk status of BMSB will be continuously reviewed throughout the season, and both countries may adjust their seasonal measures based on BMSB detections.

At Gateway Cargo Ltd, we wholeheartedly support biosecurity management and work closely with the Ministry for Primary Industries to prevent this pest from entering our shores. Our economy and the entire ecosystem heavily rely on our collective efforts to keep this pest from establishing itself in New Zealand.