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Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Brand Hong Kong - Asia world city
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Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline: 23 922 922

Ref : CR EIC 230/2/13 II

3 June 1999

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 85/99

European Union (EU) : Community Measures on the Control of Asian Longhorn Beetles (ALB) in Wooden Packing Materials Originating in the Mainland of China

 

Further to Commercial Information Circular No. 164/98 of 22 December 1998, the Department has received information that the European Commission (EC) has published on 1 June 1999 a Decision on emergency measures against the introduction of ALB into the Community. The emergency measures will apply to wooden packing materials leaving the mainland of China on or after 10 June 1999. A copy of the Decision is appended to this Circular for reference.

DETAILS

2.Commercial Information Circular No. 164/98 informed the trade that the UK adopted in December 1998 emergency measures to control the introduction of ALB into its territory. Subsequent to reports that ALB were spotted in other Member States, the EC published on 1 June 1999 a Decision on emergency measures against ALB on a Community basis.

3.The Community measures adopted are similar to those of the UK. Wood (other than wood of conifers which is already subject to control) in the form of cases, boxes, crates, drums and similar packings, pallets, box pallets and other load boards, pallet collars, actually in use in the transport of objects of all kinds; or wood used to wedge or support cargo, including wood which has not kept its natural round surface, which originates in the mainland of China (excluding Hong Kong), and which leaves the mainland of China on or after 10 June 1999, shall be :

  • (a) stripped of its bark and free of insect bore holes greater than 3mm across; or
  • (b) kiln-dried to below 20% moisture content, expressed as a percentage of dry matter achieved through an appropriate time/temperature schedule.

4. The EC will review the emergency measures by 31 December 1999 the latest. It is noted that while the measures contained in the Decision will not apply to wooden packing materials originating in Hong Kong, traders using wooden packing materials originating in the mainland of China will be affected.

ENQUIRIES

3.For enquiries 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.

 

  • (a)  stripped of its bark and free of insect bore holes greater than 3mm across; or
  • (b)  kiln-dried to below 20% moisture content, expressed as a percentage of dry matter achieved through an appropriate time/temperature schedule.