Notification of emergency measures for Khapra beetle.

Australia currently has emergency measures in place to manage the risk of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) entering the country. This includes mandatory pre-border treatment of high-risk plant products and certain sea containers that are packed in khapra beetle target-risk countries. On 28 May 2025, Australia is implementing changes to its policy and phytosanitary certification requirements for pre-border khapra beetle treatments. The changes are: Revision to the wording of existing phytosanitary certification declarations used to certify compliance with gas-permeability requirements for certain khapra beetle treatments.Introduction of mandatory supervision by the relevant exporting National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) for certain khapra beetle treatments. A new phytosanitary certification declaration will be required to certify compliance with this requirement.Removal of the fourth concentration sampling tube requirement for methyl bromide fumigation of sea containers.Further details on these changes are provided below and in the supplementary factsheet. Change 1: Revised wording for gas permeable packaging additional declarations From 28 May 2025, the wording of existing phytosanitary declarations used to certify compliance with gas-permeability requirements will be revised as follows:“The goods were fumigated in gas permeable packaging.”OR “The goods were fumigated prior to being sealed in gas impermeable packaging.”This requirement will apply to high-risk plant products exported from khapra beetle target-risk countries that are treated offshore with methyl bromide fumigation or controlled atmosphere treatment to manage the risk of khapra beetle. Further information on this change is detailed in Table 1 of the factsheet. The intention of this change is to clarify Australia’s requirements for the gas permeability of a product’s packaging at the time of treatment. It does not introduce a new requirement. Change 2: New NPPO supervision requirement and additional declaration for certain providersFrom 28 May 2025, khapra beetle treatments must be directly supervised by the relevant NPPO if they are conducted by a treatment provider that is listed as:Suspended, Under Review, or Withdrawn on Australia’s list of registered treatment providersUnacceptable or Under Review on Australia’s list of unregistered treatment providersThis requirement will apply to plant products and sea containers that are already subject to mandatory pre-border khapra beetle methyl bromide or heat treatment. This includes high-risk plant products and certain Full Container Load (FCL), or Full Container Consolidated (FCX) sea containers packed in a khapra beetle target-risk country. Details on the applicable FCL and FCX sea containers subject to this requirement are provided in the attached factsheet.The phytosanitary certificate accompanying these consignments must contain a new phytosanitary declaration to certify compliance with the requirement as follows:For methyl bromide fumigations:
The monitoring of start and end point concentration readings were conducted under direct NPPO supervision, and the treatment was performed in accordance with Australia’s methyl bromide fumigation methodology as per the attached methyl bromide fumigation certificate [insert certificate number].”For heat treatments:
The temperature sensors were placed under direct NPPO supervision, and the treatment was performed in accordance with Australia’s heat treatment methodology as per the attached heat treatment certificate [insert certificate number].”Further information on this change is detailed in Table 2 of the factsheet. Note: treatments conducted by treatment providers that are listed as ‘Approved’ on the list of treatment providers or ‘Generic’ on the list of unregistered treatment providers are not affected by this change and should continue to follow existing requirements. Change 3: Removal of fourth concentration sampling tube requirement for container fumigation treatmentsFrom 28 May 2025, methyl bromide fumigation of sea containers for khapra beetle will no longer require a fourth concentration sampling tube positioned underneath the container.This follows a review on the effectiveness of the fourth concentration sampling tube. Whilst there was a small difference in concentration readings taken from inside the container compared with underneath the container, these readings remain within the threshold for equilibrium and minimum required concentration. On this basis, three sampling tubes are sufficient to ensure effective penetration of gas under the container floor.This change will align khapra beetle fumigations with standard fumigation practices and simplify treatments.When the changes will commence:These changes will take effect on 28 May 2025. Phytosanitary certificates issued on or after 28 May should comply with the new requirements. A transitional period will be provided to facilitate compliance. During this period, treatments that meet the old requirements will still be accepted. Once the transitional period ends, all pre-border khapra beetle treatments and associated phytosanitary certificates must comply with the updated requirements. The dates for the transitional period are yet to be finalised but will be published on our website once confirmed.Further informationWe will be hosting an online information session about these changes in May. More details, including registration information, will be shared with affected stakeholders via email. For further information, visit our website or contact us at offshoretreatments@aff.gov.au