Commercial Information Circulars

Ref : CR EIC 230/2/13

22 December 1998

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 164/98

United Kingdom (UK) : Control on Asian Longhorn Beetles (ALB) in Wooden Packing Materials Originating in the Mainland of China

The Trade Department received information that the UK has decided to introduce emergency measures to control the introduction of ALB into its territory. The new measures will be applied to wooden packing materials originating in the mainland of China which arrive in the UK on or after 1 February 1999.

DETAILS

2. As a result of evidence of ALB in wooden packing materials originating in the mainland of China, the UK Forestry Commission has decided to implement emergency measures to prevent the further introduction of ALB into the UK by amending the Plant Health (Forestry) Order. Under the Plant Health (Forestry) (Amendment) Order, wood*, in the form of packing cases, crates, drums, pallets, box pallets or load boards, dunnage, spacers and bearers, including wood which has not kept its natural round surface, originating in the mainland of China (excluding Hong Kong) which arrive in the UK on or after 1 February 1999 shall be subject to restrictions as follows -

1. the wood shall be stripped of its bark and free from grub holes which are larger than 3mm across, or
2. the wood shall have undergone kiln-drying to below 20% moisture content expressed as a percentage of dry matter, at the time of manufacture, achieved through an appropriate time/temperature schedule.

3. The Department understands that there would be no requirement for consignments to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate or other form of documentation. The emergency measures would not be applicable to packing materials comprising plywood or other reconstituted wood products. For cases of non-compliance, the UK authorities may require the removal of the infested wooden packing material from the consignment and its destruction or resort to other measures as appropriate under the UK law.

IMPLICATION FOR HONG KONG

4. The emergency measures will not be applied to wooden packing materials originating in Hong Kong. However, Hong Kong, like any other places, will be affected if traders use wooden packing materials originating in the mainland of China.

ENQUIRIES

5. For enquires concerning the contents of this circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5684.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Helen YUNG)

for Director-General of Trade

Note : While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.