The below commentary provides a summary of developments since this time.
Verified Pest Prevention (VPP) declarations
At the GSF Policy Council meeting on 15 November 2022, the Secretariat reported the arrangements for representation of industry on the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) Focus Group on Sea Containers. This group is expected to compile recommendations for mandatory measures for the cleanliness of containers during the first quarter of 2023.
The first meeting of the Focus Group adopted a draft CPM Recommendation setting out the likely measures to be considered. This included the concept of 'Custodial Responsibility' where named parties in the supply chain are to be held responsible for the cleanliness of the container and the absence of pest contamination. It is noted that the 'shipping line' and 'container operator' are proposed to be exempt from having custodial responsibility.
A further phase of the Focus Group's work programme will draw on risk reduction measures and practices devised by industry, and a draft Recommendation of mandating use of 'Verified Pest Prevention' (VPP) declarations. This being a proposal developed by the World Shipping Council (WSC) that would require exporters or their forwarding agent to present a signed declaration to the carrier that a container was pest-free at the time of shipment, otherwise the container would not be accepted for carriage. This proposal appears to be closely modelled on existing Verified Gross Mass (VGM) declarations.
GSF action items
Having expressed initial concerns, the GSF is seeking further detail about the VPP in terms of exporter and freight forwarder liability, potential administrative costs and overall benefit as a biosecurity safeguard.
GSF will consolidate its position on the CPM's proposed measures, as well pursuing its own proposals for presentation to the Focus Group including: - the mandatory display of a 'Container Safety and Cleanliness Placard', by container owners/lessors/operators;
- use and promotion of the 'P.E.S.T. acronym' (Push-back, Exclude, Store, Tell) to summarise the essential actions exporters and packers should take to minimise the risk of pest contamination of containers whilst in their custody; and
- information aids accessible to container packers and facility management on mobile devices.
In parallel, GSF representatives from Canada and the USA will be participating in a workshop on sea container and cargo cleanliness organised by the North American Sea Container Initiative (NASCI) and hosted by the World Bank in Washington, D.C. on 21 and 22 February 2023.
The goal of the workshop is to further identify ways that key parties can reduce the risk of pest contamination of containers and their cargoes throughout the supply chain. Industry-led initiatives to reduce risks of pest contamination of intermodal containers will be discussed with findings to undoubtedly feed into broader IPPC / CPM Focus Group deliberations.
FTA / APSA action items
As a part of a broader focus on container packing 'best practice', FTA / APSA is collaborating with the WiseTech Academy (WTA) to develop micro-learning content to meet safety, security and biosecurity safeguards at the time of container receipt and packing.
This free online content will be based on the Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code) being a joint publication of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), providing a preferred methodology for compliance in the handling and packing of shipping containers (load and restraint, weight distribution, dangerous goods, treatments).
The intent is to provide content via mobile devices to provide precise, targeted information to exporters and packers at the point of packing.
WTA will begin rolling out the content in the middle of 2023.
Complimenting this initiative, the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Biosecurity Innovation Program has accepted an expression of interest from FTA for an early deliverable focus on container cleanliness, hitchhiker pest prevention and Biosecurity concerns for import and export containers to and from Australia.
As well as being an important initiative towards addressing IPPC concerns, it is anticipated that the use of this App could, over time, evolve with the potential in supplying important data to support biosecurity regulators to profile sea cargo containers and import goods, particularly in terms of managing the pest threats associated with sea containers.
In another significant development, following involvement in the inaugural workshop in London, FTA / APSA have accepted an invitation from the IPPC of being on the Steering Committee of the second International Workshop on Sea Container Cleanliness to be hosted in Brisbane on 17-19 July 2023 with DAFF as the host National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO).
Amongst other pertinent policy and operational matters, FTA / APSA representatives are meeting with DAFF executive in Canberra on 7 March 2023 to address the IPPC initiatives and next steps in the Biosecurity Innovation Program deliverable.
FTA / APSA will keep members at the forefront of this important reform and encourage the sharing of views to Sal Milici (General Manager Trade Policy and Operations) at smilici@FTAlliance.com.au
Paul Zalai - Director FTA | Secretariat APSA | Director GSF
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