Seminar on Methyl Bromide Fumigation Procedure, Usage

The Sri Lanka Shippers' Council affiliated to the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce held an awareness seminar on regularizing Methyl Bromide (Me Br) Fumigation Procedure and usage on Friday, 1st June at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Auditorium.

A new directive has been issued by the National Plant Quarantine Services in relation to the usage of Methyl Bromide for fumigation for exports to regularize Me Br consumption in quarantine and pre shipment (QPS) operation and also as a result of Sri Lanka being a signatory to the Montreal Protocol on the usage of Pesticides and Ozone depleting Substances (ODS) requiring the country to adhere to the said guidelines.

The seminar is expected to create awareness amongst stakeholders on the effects of Me Br on the environment, ozone layer, the importance of monitoring fumigation activities, ISPM -15 / IPPC Regulations for Me Br Fumigation, guidelines on Me Br Fumigation for Export / Import Consignments (Country Requirements, Statistics, additional fumigation declarations), fumigation Conditions and practical difficulties faced during supervision, fumigation as a Phytosanitary Requirement and fulfillment of Phytosanitary requirements for stored pests.

Key officials from Seed Certificate and Plant Protection Centre(SCPPC), National Plant Quarantine Services, Registrar of Pesticides, National Ozone Unit, Ministry of Environment, Tea Board and Tea Research Institute addressed the seminar. The presentations was followed by a Q & A Session. The seminar provided exporters, shippers, freight forwarders and all Me Br Users and treatment providers an opportunity to clear their doubts and learn more about this new procedure and usage. (SJ)