Fumigation is a form of pest control by which the disinfection procedure is carried out in a dry manner. This method, also known as phytosanitary treatment, is widely used today and is becoming more common in different market segments (especially when shipping goods by container).
Why is fumigation so important?
Container fumigation procedures are designed to prevent foreign quarantine pests from entering the cargo. In this procedure, special products are used to eradicate or control the international spread of pests already present in the shipment.
You may be wondering what are quarantine pests?
Quarantine pests are any form of pests or parasites that, under natural conditions, cause damage to plants and animals in an area. These pests can pose a significant threat to international health when exposed to new environments. There are many types of quarantine pests, but none are as trivial as the Asian lady beetle. This beetle is commonly found in containers and woody materials used to hold loads. For this reason, it ranks among the world's worst-hit quarantine pests.
How does the container fumigation program work?
Container fumigation controls any type of pest through an efficient, safe and dry disinfection process, usually done with gas. The most commonly used gases in the fumigation process are methyl bromide and phosphine. While both maintain the same level of effectiveness, methyl bromide is more commonly used in containers. To receive fumigant, the container must be of good construction. The fumigation site must be isolated within a 5-meter radius, and a sticker containing basic information such as the start and end date and time of the treatment, as well as the information of the treatment company and technician responsible for the operation, must be affixed to the container door. The gas is injected through a probe inserted into the container. This process only happens when the door is closed. Appropriate protection of surrounding personnel must be provided with personal protective equipment, and collective protective equipment is recommended for fumigation sites. After the specified exposure time, aeration should be performed for commodity release.
What are the requirements for fumigation?
Do I need a fumigation certificate?
As you saw at the beginning of this article, any type of cargo and its wooden packaging can be refused entry into the destination country if not processed. To verify this, the Port Authority requires a written permit, certificate or other proof of processing. Therefore, every fumigation container, if done in the right way and by the right company, will be accompanied by a certificate. Fumigation is a legal requirement for the buyer, so a fumigation certificate is usually issued by the fumigator or approved for fumigation by a licensing body. This certificate, sometimes referred to as a pest control certificate, is a document confirming that any wood packaging material used in the shipment of goods has been properly fumigated. This document contains details such as purpose of treatment, fumigant used and temperature range.
