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The Industry Working Group on
Quarantine (IWGQ, of which AFIF is a member) has been approached by
some QAPs in relation to AQIS enforcing the inclusion of fumigation pads as
an essential requirement for the registration of Class 1.3 QAPs. One major
issue is that the space requirements in the QAP criteria is noted as being
18 m by 5 m which is an area of 80 square m to accommodate a 40 foot
container. The requirements of the AQIS Fumigation Standard prescribe a
safety zone of at least 3 m around the fumigation area which increases the
area required for a fumigation to be carried out to approximately 19m by
8.5 m being 161 square m - (this is an approximate figure which can change
slightly).
It appears that the position in the
past has been that QAPs could be approved if they didn't have fumigation
pads as long as goods requiring treatment could be safely transported to a
QAP that had treatment facilities.
From comments received and issues
referred to the IWGQ, it is appears that AQIS has taken a fairly firm stand
in relation to compliance with the 16x8m fumigation pad requirements being
a pre-requisite to be met before approval is granted, unless a Government
Authority such as Workcover, EPA or Councils provide an exemption.
Safety assessments carried out by some
fumigators have identified issues such as the likelihood of fumigants
drifting into adjacent properties; the fumigation pad being too close to
public areas such as a road and the inability of other requirements of the
Fumigation Standard to be complied with. These assessment have led to
fumigators not being prepared to carry out fumigations at some QAPs.
The IWGQ would like to know, through
this office, if any of our members operating as QAP's have problems with
the enforcement of the 16x8m fumigation pad requirements and associated
issues. We understand these requirements are applied to QAPs that also handle air cargo as
well as sea cargo.
If you wish to comment, please advise
AFIF by sending a brief note to afif@afif.asn.au
Subject: Quarantine Approved Premises, Class 1.3 - Fumigation pads.
Thanks and regards
Brian
Lovell
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Federation of International Forwarders Ltd (AFIF)
Suite 403, Level 3
152 Bunnerong Road
Eastgardens NSW 2036
Tel: (61 2) 9314 3055
Fax: (61 2) 9314 3116
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