Plant Quarantine procedures at ports of entry aim at the prevention of the introduction of exotic pests into importing countries as well as their movement to other countries.
This is achieved through the use of one or two combination of the following procedures. (Based on Quarantine Laws and Regulations).
1. Inspection/Detection
It may be visual, microscopic or a combination of both, and performed in growing areas or on commodities, at airports, seaports, mail and border posts. Usually, samples are inspected according to the type and volume of the commodity concerned and its origin. Inspection levels are determined by the assessed risk of the commodity. Detection methodologies test for specific pests (Refer Chapters 4 and 5).
2. Treatments
The aim to eliminate pests without adversely affecting the commodity. They are classified as: either Chemical and physical.
Some commonly used chemicals are fumigants, including phosphine and methyl bromide. Others include chemical dips and dusts (Refer Chapters 3.2 and 3.4). Some examples of physical treatments include: hot arid cold treatments and irradiation.
3. Disposal/Destruction methods
Are intended to eliminate the pests without regard to the commodity concerned. Examples include incineration steam sterilization, and autoclaving. It is used to destroy prohibited articles and garbage.
4. Reconsignment or Refusal
The return to origin or re-export to other areas or countries which are not concerned with the pest or pests involved.
5. Pre-Clearance
Involves the inspection and clearance of the commodity at origin. This is conducted by the officers of the country of export in conjunction with officers of the importing country stationed abroad.
This has the advantage of facilitating the inspection and clearance of large amounts of commodities with minimal delay at the country of import. It also permits detection of potential pests at origin, before they arrive at the country of import. In addition, it permits reconditioning of the commodity through treatment, or by other means. Imported commodities, should they be found infected or infested with a plant pest for which there is no feasible treatment may be destroyed or refused entry, causing considerable losses to shippers. This system is being used by several countries including U.S.A.
6. Post entry quarantine
A procedure to hold plants for a specified period of time, under continuous observation and isolated conditions to insure that cryptic pests, including latent viruses that do not show immediate symptoms, are detected. This procedure is used with medium to high risk plant propagation materials in certain countries in the world. This requires specialized structures and laboratory facilities and staff. It is a relatively costly operation and it needs to be determined after a thorough cost-benefit analysis.
7. Pest survey and detection programme
Aims at the early detection of introduced pests, in order to facilitate their eradication. It is usually performed near ports of entry and other high-risk areas. It consists of the use of various types of insect traps and Pheromones. It also includes the conduct of surveys in certain predetermined areas (Refer Chapter 5).
8. Pest-free areas
This is a relatively new concept which aims at certifying certain areas within a country which are free of determined pests. The procedure includes strict monitoring through surveys, trapping, inspections and treatments to insure they are pest-free status, even if located in a country where the concerned pest occurs. (Refer Chapter 1).
9. Import Permits (IP)
The IP enables the plant quarantine service to conduct a pest risk analysis for a proposed import and to decide on its entry status. If properly used, it can be a valuable tool for the quarantine service.
10. Phytosanitary Certificates (PC)
If reliable and properly used, the PC, provides the opportunity to the country of import to advise the exporting country about its specific requirements. The use of the additional declaration part of the PC advises about specific statement on pests associated with the commodity (i.e. "not present"). The treatment part of the PC provides specific information on the treatments required and which were performed at the country of export.
MODEL PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATE
No.________
Plant Protection Organization of ________________
TO: Plant Protection Organization(s) of ________________
Description of consignment Name and address of exporter: ________________
Declared name and address of consignee: ________________
Number and description of packages: ________________
Distinguishing marks: ________________
Place of origin: ________________
Declared means of conveyance: ________________
Declared point of entry: ________________
Name of produce and quantity declared: ________________
Botanical name of plants: ________________
This is to certify that the plants or plant products described above have been inspected according to appropriate procedures and are considered to be free from quarantine pests, and practically free from other injurious pests; and that they are considered to conform with the current phytosanitary regulations of the importing country.
Disinfestation and/or Disinfection Treatment
Date _______________ Treatment _______________ Chemical (active ingredient) ______________
Duration and temperature ______________ Concentration______________
Additional information: _____________________________________
Additional declaration: _____________________________________
Place of issue_____________________________________________
(Stamp of Organization) Name of authorized officer ______________
Date______________ (signature)
_________________________________________________________
No financial liability with respect to this certificate shall attach to. (name of Plant Protection Organization) or to any of its officers or representatives.*
*Optional clause
MODEL PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATE FOR RE-EXPORT
No. ______________
Plant Protection Organization of______________(country of re-export)
TO: Plant Protection Organization(s) of______________(country(ies) of import)
Description of consignment
Name and address of exporter _______________________
Declared name and address of consignee _______________
Number and description of packages___________________
Distinguishing marks _______________________________
Place of origin ____________________________________
Declared means of conveyance _______________________
Declared point of entry _____________________________
Name of produce and quantity declared ________________
Botanical name of plants ____________________________
This is to certify that the plants or plant products described above were imported into (country of re-export) ______________ from (country of origin) ______________ covered by Phytosanitary Certificate No. ______________, *original _ certified true copy _ of which is attached to this certificate; that they are packed _ repacked _ in original _ *new _ containers, that based on the original phytosanitary certificate _ and additional inspection _, they are considered to conform with the current phytosanitary regulations of the importing country, and that during storage in_________________(country of re-export) the consignment has not been subjected to the risk of infestation or infection.
*Insert tick in appropriate boxes.
Disinfestation and/or Disinfection Treatment
Date ___________ Treatment ___________ Chemical (active ingredient) ___________
Duration and temperature ___________ Concentration ___________
Additional information: ___________
Additional declaration: ___________
Place of issue: ___________
(Stamp of Organization) Name of authorized officer
__________________________________________
Date ______________________
_________________________________
(Signature)
____________________________________________
No financial liability with respect to this certificate shall attach to ___________ (name of Plant Protection Organization) or to any of its officers or representatives.**
_________________________________
**Optional clause
