|
European
Union Emergency Measures for Coniferous
Non-Manufactured Wood Packing Material
Effective
October 1, 2001 The Commission of the European Communities has adopted
emergency measures requiring the treatment and marking of all new and
used coniferous (e.g. pine, spruce, fir) non-manufactured wood packing
material (NMWP) originating in the United States, Canada, China, or
Japan, to prevent the introduction of the pinewood nematode. Hardwoods
are exempt from the EU emergency measure. The pinewood nematode is a
microscopic eelworm that has caused extensive mortality in pines in
Japan and China.
European concern over the possible introduction and establishment of the
pinewood nematode has heightened over the past couple of years after an
outbreak in Portugal and interceptions of the pinewood nematode in NMWP
from the United States, Canada, China, and Japan.
Although the source of the outbreak in Portugal has not been
positively identified, packaging material is believed to have been the
likely pathway.
The World Trade Organization is considering adopting a similar draft
standard that would apply to all NMWP coniferous and hardwood.
The WTO draft standard is tentatively scheduled for adoption in
April 2003.
The EU emergency measures allow three treatment options for coniferous
NMWP: heat treatment (HT), fumigation or chemical pressure impregnation
(CPI). In all cases treated wood must bear a mark indicating the
organization that treated the NMWP and the location of that
organization. The EU requires that the HT program be an official program
with official marks. The
United States has chosen to utilize the heat treated or kiln-dried
mitigation option to eliminate this pest on NMWP.
The American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC), at the request of USDA's
Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), has agreed to develop
and oversee the United States' program. The program will require on-site
inspections of NMWP manufacturing facilities to verify compliance.
On-site inspections will be done by inspection agencies accredited by
ALSC. As of August 1, 2001,
the American Lumber Standards Committee has accredited organizations
to participate in the HT program. The approved mark for each of these
organizations is attached.
The
countries afected by the new regulations are as follows: Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg, Ireland,
Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, England, Scotland,
Wales and Northern Ireland.
|
