SWPM has been recognized as a major pathway for introduction of tree-killing pests since the Asian longhorned beetle was detected in New York and Chicago in late 1990s. As of 2014, 58 new species of non-native wood- or bark-boring insects had been detected – many probably introduced via wood packaging [Leung et al. 2014]. Other … Continue reading Countering Non-Compliant wood packaging – is new study the 1st step?
As we know, wood packaging (SWPM; crates, pallets, spools, etc.) is a high-risk pathway for introduction of bark- and wood-infesting insects (borers). (To see my 40 earlier blogs about wood packaging material, scroll down below archives to “Categories,” click on “wood packaging”.) Examples of highly damaging pests introduced to North America include Asian longhorned beetle; … Continue reading Wood Packaging: Pests Still Coming, USDA Not Taking Action
This February marks 16 years since APHIS began full implementation of ISPM#15. I have blogged often about the failure of ISPM#15 to curtail the risk associated with wood packaging; scroll below the chronological list of blogs to the “categories”, click on “wood packaging”. The best summary of the issues is found in a blog posted … Continue reading Wood packaging – Progress? or Paralysis by Analysis?
A guest blog written by Gary Lovett, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies; and Diana Davila, UTC Overseas, Inc. Gary Lovett died suddenly in December 2022. The future of this initiative is unclear. Importers are learning that relying on the ISPM#15 mark to ensure that solid wood packaging material is pest-free can be a costly mistake. … Continue reading A novel approach for keeping pests out of wood packaging material
This February marks 15 years since USDA began full implementation of ISPM#15. It is 22 years since the U.S. and Canada began requiring China to treat wood packaging (in response to introductions of the Asian longhorned beetle). Nevertheless, numerous shipments containing wood packaging that does not comply with the international regulations continue to arrive at … Continue reading Bureau of Customs Strengthens Programs Aimed at Preventing Insect Introductions in Wood Packaging
APHIS has apparently passed up an opportunity to pressure China to clean up its wood packaging – although China ranks among the countries that most often violates ISPM#15 and sends wood packaging infested by quarantine pests. (See the blogs under the category “wood packaging” on this site.) In May, a large delegation of APHIS employees … Continue reading APHIS Drops the Ball on China’s Wood Packaging
I first blogged about wood packaging in July 2015 – it was my first blog! I have written 15 times about wood packaging since. To see the series, visit www.nivemnic.us, scroll down below “archives” to “categories”, click on “wood packaging”. For five years, I have called upon USDA to act. It’s long past time to … Continue reading How to Fix the Wood Packaging Mess
This month is the 14th anniversary of United States’ implementation of International Standard for Phytosanitary Measure (ISPM) #15 with the goal of reducing the risk of pest introduction via wood packaging. Implementation of the international standard has apparently reduced the “approach rate” of pests in wood packaging, but not sufficiently (See my previous blog). In … Continue reading Happy 14th Anniversary for Wood Packaging? Probably Not: Noncompliance, Fraud, and Missing Data
For more than a decade, most countries in the world have required that crates, pallets, spools, and dunnage made from wood be treated in accordance with the requirements of the International Standard for Phytosanitary Protection (ISPM)#15 that this treatment be certified by applying an approved stamp to the wood. The goal of the program is to … Continue reading ISPM#15 – The Stamp is Not Effective as a Clue to Whether Wood Packaging is Pest-Free
CBP inspecting wood packaging; CBP photo There is widespread agreement that the most important pathways for long-distance transport of non-native forest insects are wood packaging (crates, pallets, dunnage, etc.) and imports of live plants (which APHIS calls “plants for planting”). Sources (at end of blog): Aukema et al. 2010; Liebhold et al. 2012; Meurisse … Continue reading Why Won’t USDA APHIS Act to Close the Wood Packaging Pathway?