Article found at: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/before/pests/brown-marmorated-stink-bugs
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (the department) has found significant numbers of BMSB on arrival in Australia in various types of containerised goods arriving from Italy. These detection’s indicate that BMSB are sheltering in a range of containers and goods outside of those captured by existing measures.
To manage the risk posed by these goods, all containerised goods shipped between 17 January 2018 and 30 April 2018 (inclusive) via sea cargo from Italy that arrive in Australia will be required to undergo an approved treatment. Refer to the 2017-18 BMSB Season Measures webpage for information about approved treatments for this pest.
Background
BMSB is not found in Australia and needs to be kept out. It has the potential to severely impact our agriculture industries. Juveniles and adults feed on, and can severely damage, fruit and vegetable crops. It is also a nuisance pest as adults enter vehicles, homes and factories in large numbers in autumn months, looking for places to shelter over winter.
BMSB can arrive in Australia on cargo and containers shipped between September and April, coinciding with late autumn and winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has introduced measures to manage the risk of brown marmorated stink bugs during the high risk season for these pests.
2017-18 measures
The department has developed the measures which will apply to high risk sea cargo from the United States and Italy shipped from 1 September 2017 to 30 April 2018 (inclusive), in addition to standard import requirements.