Improving sea container clearance

David Cox
David Cox

An Australian initiative for improving sea container clearance could provide an international framework, according to David Cox, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) Acting National Manager for Import Clearance of Cargo.

AQIS is pursuing harmonisation of international quarantine management, with the support of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Mr Cox, a scientist who has worked with AQIS for almost 30 years, told delegates at the Biosecurity Summit that the Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS) could provide a framework for an inter-governmental, international forum focused on quarantine administration and co-ordination.

He said moving risk offshore was important, but there were significant issues around container fumigation, particularly training workers to carry out the processes properly. “I can tell you the fumigant you think has been pumped offshore probably hasn’t been, or hasn’t been done correctly,” he said. “Do you really trust that phytosanitary certificate you have just received? The real answer is, many are not worth the paper they are written on.”

To combat this, Australia commenced AFAS in 2004 to improve the technical capacity of overseas fumigators, to help them maintain a high standard of fumigation performance and to develop overseas quarantine authorities’ capacity to effectively monitor and register fumigation companies.

Effective container fumigation requires proper training.
Effective container fumigation requires proper training.

AFAS operates through individual bilateral arrangements with participating countries, currently India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Papua New Guinea. The Philippines is scheduled to join the list this month, and China probably next year.

Mr Cox said countries considering AFAS included New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Cambodia, while the United States was watching the scheme to see if it worked.

He said AFAS was a management system, including training, accreditation, registration, auditing, communication and standards. It could be adapted to manage a variety of quarantine treatments and initiatives, including: methyl bromide, heat treatment, sulfuryl fluoride, ethylene oxide, container cleanliness, and inspection of vehicles and machinery.

The scheme led to better fumigation performance and trade facilitation through reduced pest and disease risk. It also improved occupational health and safety, reduced the use of methyl bromide, and improved communication between Australia and participating AFAS countries.

Effective container fumigation requires proper training.
Effective container fumigation requires proper training.

Mr Cox said a concern about the AFAS bilateral arrangement was that there were no direct benefits between participating countries, because the arrangement was only with Australia. Because of this, there were lower treatment standards for countries other than Australia and commercial pressure to perform cheap, ineffective fumigations.

A multilateral AFAS, with a central secretariat, would mean more effective fumigations performed for all participating countries. This would increase the probability that higher treatment standards would be maintained, facilitating trade for all and improving quarantine dialogue.

Mr Cox said AFAS was a possible model for:

  • greater international quarantine co-operation;
  • harmonisation of quarantine initiatives;
  • enhancement of quarantine regulatory and compliance activities;
  • promotion of an honest, transparent quarantine environment;
  • effective networks and communication activities.

David Cox has managed AQIS food export arrangements and represented Australia at Codex food standards and APEC meetings. He also spent seven years running the AQIS Compliance and Investigation Unit. He currently works in the AQIS Quarantine Division. For the past four years he has been responsible for the development and implementation of AQIS offshore arrangements, particularly AFAS.

For more information email: AFAS@aquis.gov.au

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand is currently reviewing AFAS and how it aligns with our treatment system and processes.

Page last updated: 5 January 2009