Phytosanitary

Compliance

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), a part of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, has established guidelines to protect plant and animal health, support biodiversity, and foster sustainable agriculture referred to as phytosanitary regulations. Phytosanitary compliance is essential to protect agriculture, forestry, and the environment by preventing the introduction of harmful organisms that could have detrimental effects on plants, ecosystems, and economies.

To meet these requirements, countries cooperate to establish and enforce measures that minimize the risks associated with the international movement of forestry and other plant products. It is essential for exporters and importers to be aware of – and comply with – the phytosanitary requirements of the countries involved in the trade to prevent the unintentional introduction of pests and diseases across borders.

Here’s what you need to know about Southern Pine’s phytosanitary compliance.

Does Southern Pine meet moisture limits set by the phytosanitary rules?

The phytosanitary rules require wood for packaging to contain less than 20% moisture content when manufactured. To be grade marked, Southern Pine lumber must be kiln dried to a moisture content of 19% or less.

What is the standard for Southern Pine lumber heat treatment?

The Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB) sets quality standards for Southern Pine manufacturing and grade marking. SPIB defines lumber as being heat treated when “placed in a closed chamber with artificial heat until the lumber achieves a minimum core temperature of 56 degrees Centigrade for a minimum of 30 minutes. The lumber must be in the green condition at the time of heat treatment.”

How does Southern Pine kiln drying compare to minimum HT requirements?

The core temperature of kiln-dried Southern Pine exceeds HT phytosanitary requirements. Typically, kiln schedules for drying Southern Pine exceed 12 hours at 200 degrees Fahrenheit – often higher – thereby exceeding the core temperature requirement of 56 degrees Centigrade (133º F) for 30 minutes set by the international phytosanitary rules for non-manufactured wood packing material.

Is Southern Pine suitable for global material handling needs?

Yes. About 95% of Southern Pine lumber is kiln dried, which further increases strength and nail holding power, improves stability, results in uniform sizes, and meets the core temperature requirements of international phytosanitary rules.

What about pressure treatment for phytosanitary use?

Pressure-treated lumber is infused with preservatives to increase its resistance to insect damage and decay. Although the process results in pest-free lumber, pressure treatment alone will not suffice for the phytosanitary rules. According to regulation, the lumber must first be kiln dried before pressure treatment, a standard procedure for HT compliant Southern Pine. Kiln-dried Southern Pine is a preferred wood for pressure treatment because of its ability to achieve deep, uniform preservative penetration. Pressure treated Southern Pine is also available re-dried, Kiln Dried After Treatment (KDAT).

Do phytosanitary rules affect other wood products that I use?

Rules adopted under the IPPC require heat treatment of all non-manufactured (solid sawn) softwoods and hardwoods used in packaging destined for export. By the nature of their production process, manufactured wood products such as plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), and laminated veneer lumber are exempt from the phytosanitary restrictions and are not required to bear an “HT” mark. However, packaging units made of both non-manufactured and manufactured wood components must still bear an “HT” audit mark.