Procedures for Non-AFAS failed methyl bromide fumigations and company reinstatement

In order to protect Australia’s borders from pest interception, AQIS requires methyl bromide fumigations to be performed on a variety of imported goods and packaging material. Where a potential or confirmed fumigation failure from a non-Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS) country is detected AQIS follows the following procedure:

• The offending company is placed on their country’s ‘under investigation’ or ‘suspended’ treatment providers list as appropriate.
  
• The fumigation company is contacted and advised of the situation, and of the procedure required for having their ‘acceptable’ status reinstated.
  
• The relevant overseas quarantine agency is advised of the situation and of the procedure required for the ‘acceptable’ status of the company to be reinstated.

The decision as to whether to conduct an audit to assess the company’s potential for reinstatement will be left to the fumigation company and the overseas quarantine agency concerned. AQIS will provide any information required by the quarantine agency (such as the AQIS Methyl Bromide Fumigation Standard and associated audit checklist) to assist in the conducting of a reinstatement audit.

When the overseas quarantine agency has completed the audit process and considers the company suitable for reinstatement, they should advise AQIS accordingly. AQIS will then consider the case for reinstating the company as an ‘acceptable’ treatment provider.

Where no correspondence is received from the overseas quarantine agency within three (3) months, ‘under investigation’ company status will be altered to ‘unacceptable’.

Any inquiries can be made by email to failed fumigations.