Containers treated with Sulfuryl Fluoride.

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has engaged with the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources again today in terms of the management of inspections for containers treated with Sulfuryl Fluoride.

The department is working with the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) on identifying measures to safeguard the health and safety of officers.

In the interim, the department is assessing the management of affected containers on a case-by-case basis.

We are hopeful of early resolution to this matter.

Italian treatment providers

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has engaged with the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources and received detailed information from members in providing the below update:
 

• We understand that the department has made detections of BMSB in Australia from containers treated by 3 Italian providers leading to their suspension late last year;
   

• Based on member feedback, we estimate that these 3 treatment providers were completing approximately 70% of treatments prior to suspension;
   

• The department has not received any treatment certificates from any Italian provider since 21 December 2018 in what appears to be a strong show of solidarity protest by all businesses that are members of the International Fumigation Association (ITA);
   

• We understand that an executive from one of the suspended companies is the president of  the ITA;
   

• Departmental representatives met with the ITA on 14 January 2019 in what has been described by the department as a "positive engagement";
   

• Departmental representatives will meet with all 3 treament providers to assess remedial action and the ongoing need for suspension; and
   

• We understand that ITA members will meet next week, independantly of the department, to determine their ongoing course of action.

We again thank and encourage members to keep sharing information from suppliers that we can include in ongoing updates.

Paul Zalai - FTA / APSA