Vietnam Fumigation

NAEGA continues its engage with the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) on upcoming Vietnamese fumigation requirements and a potential suspension on the trade of U.S. origin DDGS into Vietnam. On Thursday, November 18 NAEGA participated in a conference call with APHIS, FAS and industry stakeholders to receive an update on APHIS efforts to engage Vietnam PPD on this issue. Currently, industry is facing a methyl bromide fumigation requirement for all shipments of wheat and corn to Vietnam after the bill of lading date of December 1, 2016. Furthermore, Vietnam has announced a suspension of the import of U.S. origin DDGS by the bill of lading date of December 17, 2016. Both of these requirements are related to the discovery of live pests in past shipments of wheat, corn and DDGS from the United States.

Currently, Vietnamese authorities have shown their willingness to work with APHIS on a pilot treatment schedule for DDGS in bulk and containers that may suit PPD demands and allow industry to avoid a suspension of trade. The current proposal that APHIS is seeking with Vietnam PPD includes: - For containers: A minimum phosphine dosage of 750ppm and an increased exposure of 3 days for shipments with a 70-degree Fahrenheit ambient temperature and 4 days for shipments with a 60-69-degree ambient temperature. In addition, stowage inspection will occur at loading to ensure shipments are free of debris. - For bulk: Identical concentration of gas as containers at 750ppm. New requirements for fumigation to use the recirculation method to ensure a higher kill rate on inspects present in the shipment.

For bulk wheat and corn, APHIS is continuing to work with Vietnam PPD for approval of a fumigation program that includes phosphine instead of methyl bromide. Vietnamese authorities have been insistent that methyl bromide be used for fumigation of all shipments of wheat and corn due to instances of phosphine resistance in shipments from the United States.

This is an ongoing and unfolding situation. More information will be available in the coming days and will be communicated to NAEGA members as soon as it is available. For more information please contact Gary or Ryan.