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The Government has announced new treatment standards for wood packaging materials. The new International Standards on Phytosanitary Measures – 15 (ISPM-15) are developed by International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) for the quarantine treatment of wood packaging materials. The new standards would minimize the risk of carriage of plant pests and diseases.
The new standards are:
i. NSPM-10: Guidelines for forced hot air treatment facilities for wood packaging materials.
ii. NSPM-11: Quarantine treatment and application - Methyl Bromide fumigation.
iii. NSPM-12: Guidelines for assessment, accreditation and auditing of fumigation agencies.
The Ministry of Agriculture advised the export associations, industry associations, trade associations, State Governments, etc., to encourage development of such treatment facilities all over the country, especially in the vicinity of all ports, airports, air cargo complexes, dry ports, etc. to ensure the smooth continuance of export from India.
Setting up of treatment facilities involves accreditation of the facility by the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage (India's National Plant Protection Organization) under the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation. Accredited treatment providers will be assigned the ISPM mark, which requires to be affixed/printed on the treated wood packaging materials used for packaging of export consignments. The details of the new international standards are available at www.plantquarantineindia.org.
The standards envisage treatment of wood packaging materials either by way of heat treatment or Methyl Bromide fumigation treatment. These standards have been adopted by a number of countries including USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, European Union and India.
MKP:RC:woodpackaging
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