APHIS Official Says Canada is Waiting on U.S. to Implement ISPM 15 for Its WPM
During the April 13-14, 2011 U.S. Customs and Border Protection annual Trade Symposium, APHIS officials provided an update on International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15 enforcement issues, and reported that Canada is waiting for the U.S. to pass a rulemaking in order to begin its implementation of the ISPM 15 for U.S. wood packaging material (WPM).
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Canada is Waiting on the U.S. to Pass Rulemaking on ISPM 15 for WPM
An APHIS official stated that Canada is now waiting on the U.S. to pass a rulemaking in order to begin implementation together of the ISPM 15 for each other's WPM. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/18/11 news, 11021807, for BP summary of the U.S. and Canada moving to remove their ISPM 15 exemptions for WPM.)
Unmarked Shipments, Pests in Marked Wood Biggest ISPM Enforcement Issues
APHIS officials stated that the biggest problems related to ISPM 15 enforcement are shipments lacking stamps (an issue of noncompliance) and finding live pests in marked wood (an issue of the stamp being fraudulent or treatments being less than they should be). The highest risk WPM is dunnage as it is usually made of lower quality wood.
WPM found to have live pests will probably get a refusal of entry unless it presents a risk to the environment. Non-compliant WPM (lacking a stamp) will usually be refused entry, although reconditioning may be allowed by permission from the Port Director; however this is on case-by-case basis. Importers should ensure their suppliers are using active fumigation to prevent such occurrences.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 10/26/10 news, 10102615, for BP summary of IPPC report to WTO on possible standards to reduce pest risks in containers.)
CBP Trade Symposium presentation on WPM is available here.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency press release is available here.