Starting from 2011, Vietnamese agricultural products, when exported to the Australian market, will be required to perform fumigation work according to the technical standards of the Australian Inspection Agency (AFAS) and must have a license. certified inspection inspection according to the sterilization technology standard of the Australian Inspection Agency (AQIS).
Why exporters need to choose fumigated goods according to AFAS . standards
Australian agriculture is very diverse in products. However, many agricultural products of this country do not overlap with many agricultural products of Vietnam.
Therefore, Australia is currently a very large market for importing and consuming Vietnam’s agricultural products, typically coffee, cashews, vegetables, etc. According to statistics, on the first 10 months of 2010, export turnover from Vietnam to the Australian market reached 2.18 billion USD, up 9.2% compared to 2009, most of which were farmers.
That’s why, the process of fumigation of goods according to AFAS technical standards is very important so that goods can be easily exported to Australia.
Learn about the AFAS . fumigation process
What is the AQIS standard of sterilization for phytosanitary purposes?
All AQIS requirements are designed to serve as benchmarks for audits in the quality control process of fumigation performed by AQIS, other quarantine authorities or their official agents. to reduce the risk of pest entry into Australia.
AFAS . Sterilization Process
The fumigation process follows the Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS) for disinfection with Methyl bromide for quarantine purposes. These are the steps that must be taken for effective disinfection to be in line with the AQIS Methyl Bromide Disinfection Standard for Quarantine Purposes.
Exporters need to understand this standard as well as the sterilization process in order to coordinate with the fumigation service provider to implement, as well as be proactive in their production and export plans to avoid trouble or incur costs out of control.
Introduction to the important properties of Methyl Bromide:
– Methyl Bromide is a chemical in gaseous form under normal temperature and pressure conditions, capable of killing organisms (insects, livestock, plants, …) if they are fumigated with effective concentrations. in effective time.
Methyl Bromide affects insects through respiration.
Methyl Bromide is odorless and colorless.
- 3.27 times heavier than air
- Does not burn at sterilization concentration
- Good permeability
+ Penetrates 100mm deep into wood
+ Does not penetrate through plastic, paint, lacquer, varnish, etc.
- Fast acting
- Widespread effect of the pest
- Can only be used when the temperature is higher than 100 degrees C
- Dissolve organic matter
- In liquid form reacts strongly with aluminum, magnesium, zinc and strong alkalis
- As ozone-depleting agent performs, unprotected persons, as well as can perform safe ventilation at the end of sterilization.
Conformity of goods requiring fumigation
Goods that require fumigation should be considered suitable for sterilization with Methyl Bromide. This includes looking at the type of goods, how the goods are arranged in the container, and the packaging.
This also allows exporters to proactively assess the suitability of their goods in the process of manufacturing, packing and arranging goods in containers. As well as determining exactly what is the purpose of the sterilization of the shipment.
Airtight space when performing sterilization
The implementation of sterilization with Methyl bromide can be done in the following forms:
Specialized sterilization chamber.
Containers are tested for tightness by pressure
Container covered with tarpaulin
Shipment covered with tarpaulin
Specialized sterilization chambers and shipping containers, if used as sterilization spaces, must be pressure tested and meet the conditions according to AQIS Methyl Bromide sterilization standards.
In the event that the tightness is not satisfied enough to be fumigated, the container must be disinfected by tarpaulin method.
Disinfection of consignments and containers by tarpaulin is carried out in a similar manner and must ensure that the sterilization area is airtight.
Ensure safety when performing sterilization
The site to perform disinfection must ensure the safety of the operator, the unprotected, as well as be able to safely ventilate at the end of the disinfection.
The disinfection site must have a non-gas permeable floor large enough to establish a hazardous area.
The location must have adequate electricity (to use the air island fan), light, water, strong windbreak, expandable in case of need.
The hazardous area must be fenced, with a warning sign, the hazardous area in effect from the time the disinfectant is injected until the ventilation is complete (TLV < 5ppm).
Disinfectant staff when working in a valid hazardous area must wear a mask with a gas cylinder or a full face mask with a suitable filter, it is recommended to work in pairs (02 people).
Unauthorized persons and without suitable protective equipment should not enter the hazardous area while it is in effect.
> Container sterilization process
Ensure the concentration, incubation time, even distribution of the drug
– Recommended dose and amount of medicine to be applied are calculated based on temperature, type of goods to be disinfected, volume of sterilization space. Dose recommendations for different commodities can be found on the AQIS ICON database.
– Amount of medicine disinfectant applied is calculated based on the volume, minimum temperature of the sterilization area
– The drug needs to be distributed in the sterilization space. This depends a lot on how the goods are arranged in the container, the free space, the sterilization gas vaporization, and the air fan.
– Incubation time starts from the time of determining the starting point until the beginning of ventilation. The incubation period is typically 24-48 hours for Methyl Bromide. Some exceptions are shorter or longer. For example: sterilization of fresh fruits and vegetables, the incubation period is shorter than 24 hours.
The starting point is determined when the drug concentration in the container is determined to be balanced and not lower than the standard concentration. Usually the starting point is about 30 minutes after the end of the drug application if aeration is good and tightness is ensured. When measuring, record the measurement and the time of measurement.
Ventilate the disinfection area, safe critical threshold:
After the prescribed incubation period has been reached, and the end point data have been measured, the disinfected consignment needs to be ventilated and inspected for safety before handing over to the sterilization registrant.
+ Make sure the dangerous area is free of unprotected people.
+ Check the area affected by the wind.
A fan can be used to assist ventilation.
Disinfection area should be well ventilated and checked for critical safety threshold (TLV).
Finish the sterilization. A fumigation certificate according to AFAS standards, and a certificate of ventilation can only be issued at this time. Complete documentation including fumigation certificate, sterilization record (log), and hand over the shipment to the fumigation registrant.
Required documents:
– Export license
– Import license
– Handling instructions
– Notice of customers
– Container cleaning
– Surface and airtight packaging of goods
– No bark on wooden packing material
– Disinfection request paper
– B/L
