Pending Global Recommendations for Reducing Pest Contamination in Sea Containers (Update Oct. 23)

On 25 September 2023, the International Association of Movers (IAM) and the FIDI Global Alliance, with the appreciated contribution and support of AIMA (Australian International Movers Association) and the Global Shippers Forum (GSF), submitted joint comments on the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) Recommendations for Minimizing Pest Risk Associated with the Sea Container Pathway. The CPM is expected to make key decisions in 2024 on long-term guidance to minimise the risks associated with the international sea containers and invasive pests. These measures, if imposed globally, will directly impact the movement of household furniture and personal effects shipments worldwide.  

IAM and FIDI support voluntary measures to reduce the transfer of pests throughout the supply chain and container pathway process and are in favour of a simplified version of the ‘Custodial Responsibility’ principle, with a key focus on pest preventive actions at origin. For additional questions, please contact Angela De Conti at angela.deconti@iamovers.org or Marie-Pascale Frix at marie-pascale.frix@fidi.org.  

For more information about the topic of pest control in containers, FIDI Affiliates can consult the special resource page on FIDINET (accessible to FIDI members only).