Quarantine Issues On Coir Shipments - Chalanges And Solutions Introduction

Being a product of nature, all the species of plant products and plant bi products are susceptible for insect infestation and microbial attack. Insects and micro organisms are present because of the requirement of food and abode. When the international trade happens between countries across borders, this creates a pathway for Bio invasion which is a serious threat to the importing countries eco system.

Quarantine authorities in worldwide are serious about Bio invasion because of its significant impact of ecological and economical factors. Insect infestation and fungal decay (microbial attack) are the two important factors which creates quarantine issues during international trade.

Insect Infestation

Insects are the living organisms found in all the plant products. Wood boring insect, powder beetles and termites are some of the examples of insects. Insects can be controlled by doing proper fumigation as they are having respiratory system and intensive metabolic activity.

Exporters – fumigators and Forwarders are the important stack holders and each one has got important responsibility to supply insect free consignment to the customer.

1. Roll Of Fumigator

  1. Fumigators must ensure that the consignment is properly fumigated by following national standards. They should ensure that ISPM marking is done on the wood packing materials as specified in the ISPM 15 standards.
  2. If any insect infestation found at destination fumigators can be held responsible and liable to answer for the claims.
  3. It is mandatory to mark all wooden packing material as per ISPM #15 standards. If the marking is not legible on the wood then the consignments will be sent back to India. For containerized shipments, the customer should ensure that all the wood packing materials used in the shipment is properly treated and stamped with ISPM 15 marking. It is not possible for the fumigators to check the wood packing materials after it is loaded into the containers. Hence, fumigators should not be held responsible for the lacking of ISPM marking and quality of wood.

2. Roll Of Exporters

  1. It is very important to appoint a fumigator who is technically sound-having knowledge and field experience and accredited by the national quarantine authorities.
  2. Care should be taken to check that all the wooden packing materials are completely de-barked (removal of the skin). If the bark is found at the port of discharge even if there is no infestation the containers it will be sent back to the port of origin.
  3. The planning of the wood has to be done properly so that the marking will be legible on the wood.

3. Roll Of Shipping Agents

  1. In most of the CFS the packed wooden crates are kept in the soil and due to this the crates sink in the soil and when it is lifted with the forklift soil contamination along with weed growth enters into the container. Due to this soil contamination happens and in some cases weeds can also grow on the wooden packing materials.
  2. Some of the forklift drivers while picking up the wooden crates tend to immerse the forklift blade in the soil and thereby soil contamination happens.
  3. If fumigation is carried out in the container, it should be detained for 24 hours to complete the degassing. After which it can be released for shipment. If the container is detained for 24 hours and then aerated, the absorption of Methyl Bromide fumigant on the cargo is less. If the agents do not detain the container for 24 hours for aeration purposes the chances of aerating the cargo is not possible.

Fungal Attack / Wood Decay

Fungi are curious micro organisms that are not fit into the classification of Insects/plant kingdom

They do not have any respiratory system and metabolic activity. They depend plants and animals for their presence and food source. Since, it is not fit into these characters it is very difficult to control them unless we have scientific approach on them to control.

Spores of Fungi are present in the entire eco system and it requires following atmospheric and physical requirements to evolve and establish in the consignment.

1. Mositure And Humidity

Even though many other factors influence in the growth of fungi, MOISTURE AND HUMIDITY are the very important factors which induce the growth rapidly.

If wood packing is used in the shipment, it is very important to ensure the wood moisture is less than 18 percent. This can be checked with a help of an electronic moisture meter available in the market. The wood should be completely free from bark and planning is necessary for the smooth surface and to remove the spores of fungi. Quarantine authorities strongly recommend pine wood because it is not absorbing moisture. Pine wood is not hygroscopic in structure so that it does not absorb excess moisture present in the atmosphere.

Unlike pine wood, rubber wood and Indian wood species are hygroscopic in nature so that it absorbs moisture even from the surroundings. In closed shipping containers condensation is happening during voyage and due to this more moisture will be absorbed by these species of wood.

2. Roll Of Fumigators

Fumigators roll on controlling fungi is very limited as fungi are not an insect andit does not have any respiratory organ. It is proven fact that fungi are notcontrolled with fumigation even at high dosage levels.

3. Roll Of Exporters

  1. Care should be taken that the packing wood should not be exposed to rains by storing them in open to sky areas. This will cause fungus problems in the wood. Please note MBR fumigation does not offer any relief for fungus growth. Fungus growth mainly comes on the wood due to high moisture content in the wood. The ideal moisture content should be between 18% and 20%. Moisture meters are available in the market and the wood supplier should supply only quality wood which is completely planned and de-barked.
  2. While using polyethylene sheets on the cargo, care should be taken to avoid wrapping on the wooden packing material. By carrying out wrapping the moisture in the wood will not be able to escape thereby fungus problems can occur. Poly ethylene sheets used should have perforation so that the moisture can escape and there will not be any fungus problems.
  3. While nailing the wooden crates water should not be poured on the wood. This might also help in increasing the moisture content of the wood.
  4. Anti fungal treatment has to be carried out by the wood supplier prior to the supply of wooden packing material to the exporter.

4. Roll Of Shipping Agents

  1. Care should be taken while selecting the freight containers for shipment. Any defects in the structure of containers such as holes, rusting, damage of door rubber beadings, dents on the doors will lead to moisture damage during voyage. Also the fumigant gas will be leaked from the containers resulting failure of fumigation.
  2. Moisture absorbing desiccants such as Calcium chloride and Silica get may be used to absorb the atmospheric moisture (condensation) during voyage.

Hence, it needless to say that collective effort from all the stake holders is the key to achieve the success in delivering pest free consignments to the customer.