Invasive Pests

World food security and biodiversity is at risk from contaminating pests. Plant pests and diseases are responsible for the loss of up to 40% of global food crops and trade losses exceeding $220bn annually.

The lead UN body, the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures has created a phytosanitary expert Focus Group to look at potential pest contamination on sea containers. Recognising the need for supply chain input, they asked industry to form a Container Cleanliness Industry Advisory Group (CCIAG) to provide advice, suggestions and recommendations on:

cleanliness of the interior and exterior of intermodal freight containers and their cargoes
risks of pest contamination in the international containerized supply chain

We are pleased to be part of the CCIAG. Managing contaminating pests is best approached through collective effort that includes plant protection, industry and other stakeholders. Critically, ICHCA’s role is to work with stakeholder partners to ensure safety is “baked in” to the delivery of practical and sustainable outcomes.

INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON REDUCING THE INTRODUCTION OF PESTS THROUGH THE SEA CONTAINER PATHWAY – 19-20 September 2022

This workshop brought together plant protection organisations and industry in a powerful learning and sharing event. Over 30 presenters addressed wide-ranging topics over two impressively designed and executed days.

ICHCA summary document and links to the presentations:

Download Invasive Pest Guidance Documents Here

COMMISSION ON PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES RECOMMENDATION R-06 – Sea Containers 2017

Sea containers moved internationally should be as clean as possible, in order to minimize the movement of pests.

SEA CONTAINER CLEANLINESS FACTSHEET

The IPPC have adopted CPM Recommendation (R-06) on Sea containers, the purpose of which is to protect agriculture, forestry and natural resources against pests. This Recommendation helps promote sea container cleanliness and it complements the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code). See Cargo Integrity Group pages https://ichca.com/cargo-integrity-group for more on the CTU Code and its Quick Guide.

PREVENTION OF PEST CONTAMINATION OF CONTAINERS: JOINT INDUSTRY GUIDELINES FOR CLEANING OF CONTAINERS

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance on how container cleanliness may be achieved by container operators for those containers that are in their direct control.” This is a joint paper with World Shipping Council, Institute of International Container Lessors, Container Owners Association and ICHCA

GSF/ICHCA present Avoiding Pest Contamination of Ocean Freight Containers (NASCI Initiative)

Against a backdrop of threatened regulation by international agencies the North American, Sea Container Initiative is working to raise awareness of the risks of inadvertent transfer of invasive plant and animal species between nations in ocean freight containers and their cargoes.

This is a critical global issue that threatens national economic resources around the world and is under close regulatory review.

NASCI is a joint government/business activity that has developed advisory material and practical guidance resources for shippers and cargo handlers responsible for the packing and of freight containers.

GSF and ICHCA believe it is essential that industry act now to head off possible new regulatory controls that will introduce new costs and delays to container shipments.

This presentation by the NASCI team will:

Update you on the threat to biodiversity and economically significant crops and natural resources from invasive species
Present case studies of how species are transferred between ecosystems and the effects they can have
Describe practical examples of steps shippers and cargo handlers can take to avoid inadvertent contamination of containers and cargoes by pests.
Provide guidance and advice based on the internationally recognized Guide to Packing Cargo Transport Units (the CTU Code)

This is an exclusive and essential briefing for GSF and ICHA members, especially relevant for: