NAEGA has been notified by USDA APHIS of new import requirements for U.S. distillers dried grains entering Thailand beginning January 1, 2019. Beginning on January 1, the Thai Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) will require all U.S. distillers dried grains (DDG) to be fumigated with methyl bromide prior to shipment to Thailand.  APHIS will require that treatment be specified on the Federal Grain Inspection Service Insects in Grain Report 921-2 as a requirement for issuance of an export phytosanitary certificate from January 1, 2019 forward.

The MOA requirement is as follows:

From 1 January 2019, the DDGs consignments have to be fumigated with methyl bromide at 80 g/m for 48 hours at 21 °C and above at NAP ( Normal Atmospheric Pressure). The treatment schedule has to be indicated on Phytosanitary Certificate. Methyl bromide treatment certificate is required.

APHIS further indicated it will engage Thailand’s MOA officials to:

• Replace the required methyl bromide with phosphine.
• Provide for a wider treatment temperature range better approximating the labeled requirements.
• Provide for clarity on whether the treatment certificate will be needed if the required information is provided on the phytosanitary certificate.

NAEGA, working with the Grades and Inspections Committee, is making suggestions for changes to the practices of both governments and communicating worldwide to encourage best and least trade distortive practices be deployed to manage Sanitary and Phytosanitary risks for international movement of grains and oilseeds. Please contact us if you have any questions or comments.