Permits for Methyl Bromide
Methyl bromide, an ozone depleting substance, is used in New Zealand for quarantine and pre-shipment (QPS) fumigation purposes and in the horticulture industry to control unwanted pests.
Quarantine and Pre-Shipment (QPS)
Import permits are granted by the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) to replace MB used for legitimate QPS purposes. Two companies currently import and supply MB to QPS users in New Zealand. Before MED will consent to these permits we require information to verify Methyl Bromide was used for legitimate QPS purposes, the information includes (MED forms show the information that is required from QPS users):
- Detailed quantity figures and dates
- MAF certificates to verify legitimate QPS use.
Members of the Montreal Protocol are urged to reduce the use of Methyl Bromide and use non-ozone - depleting alternatives where ever possible.
Definition of Quarantine and Pre-Shipment
Pre-Shipment
- Any treatments applied, no later than 21 days before export, to meet:
- The official requirements of the importing country; or
- The existing official requirements of the exporting country - being the official requirement performed or authorised by a national plant, animal, environmental, health, or stored product authority; but
- Does not include quarantine applications
Quarantine: any treatments to prevent the introduction, establishment and/or spread of quarantine pests (including diseases), or to ensure their official control, where:
- Official control is that performed by, or authorised by, a national plant, animal or environmental protection or health authority.
- Quarantine pests are pests of potential importance to the areas endangered thereby and not yet present there, or present but not widely distributed and being officially controlled.
An important aspect of these definitions is that they both relate to official actions.
Contractual or commercial requirements alone are not sufficient reason to allow exemption from phase-out under the QPS exemption.
There is some confusion over the terms "quarantine" and "pre-shipment" in relation to how to categorise a particular MB use.
For further information on how to define "quarantine" and "pre-shipment", and for examples, please visit the following link to the Australian Department of Environment and Heritage - or contact us:
National Methyl Bromide Response Strategy Part 2 - Quarantine and Preshipment Uses - :
- Appendix 2: Logic Diagram to Assist in Categorising Quarantine and Pre-Shipment Treatments for Developed Countries
For a decision chart to help decide if a treatment falls under the QPS exemption. - Appendix 3: Examples Provided by Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee (MBTOC) that May Assist in the Interpretation of QPS
For some examples of cases considered to fall under QPS and those that do not.
If your use is not a QPS use, you may not import methyl bromide for that use any longer. However, stocks of methyl bromide can still be used for your purpose.
You are urged to reduce the use of methyl bromide and use non-ozone-depleting alternatives wherever possible.
Non-QPS Uses
Methyl bromide has also been used as a general fumigant to control pests in industries like strawberry growing or for grain silos. However as a member the Montreal Protocol the import of MB for non-QPS purposes was prohibited as from 1 January 2005.New Zealand agreed to phase out use of methyl bromide for non QPS uses by 31 December 2004.
New Zealand applied to the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol for Critical-Use Exemptions (CUEs) to import methyl bromide for a limited time beyond 31 December 2004 for the strawberry industry only.
Definition of Critical-Use Exemptions (CUE)
- That a use of methyl Bromide should qualify as "critical" only if the nominating party determines that:
- The specific use is critical because the lack of availability of methyl Bromide for that use would result in significant market disruption; and
- There are no technically and economically feasible alternatives or substitutes available to the user that are acceptable from the standpoint of environment and health and are suitable to the crops and circumstances of the nominations.
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