The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has developed measures to manage the 2017‑18 seasonal risk of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) infestations in sea cargo shipped from the United States and on high risk pathways originating in Europe. This applies to importation of targeted break bulk and vehicles, boats, machinery and machinery parts from 1 September 2017 to 30 April 2018 inclusive.
The 2017-18 BMSB measures will continue to apply to target goods arriving from the United States, and will now include target goods from Italy shipped from 1 September 2017 to 30 April 2018 inclusive. The target goods season dates, treatments, and requirements for management of target goods are unchanged.
In addition, heightened inspections will apply to target goods from other European countries where BMSB is known to be established in order to monitor emerging risk of importation of BMSB on those pathways.
The 2017-18 measures will remain in place for the entire season unless further significant pest infestations are detected. Should this occur, the department may impose emergency requirements similar to those implemented during the 2014-15 season. The department will continue to monitor the risk of brown marmorated stink bugs from other parts of the world and will develop measures accordingly if required.
The above revised measures are based on current understanding of the pest’s biology, interception data and learning from last season’s measures.
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