Prepare plants and plant products for export

Heat treatment involves exposing plants or plant parts to high temperatures for a specific period to control pests and diseases.

There are 2 main types of heat treatment:

• Vapour heat treatment (VHT): Heating the commodity with saturated air until the desired inner temperature is reached and maintained throughout the entire exposure period. This treatment is usually applied to fresh produce.
• Hot air treatment: Using a conventional steam or dry kiln heat chamber to achieve a
  minimum temperature for a specific duration based on the commodity and target pest.
  
  This treatment is usually applied to wood products.

Once completed, you will receive a heat treatment certificate which you must submit when Applying for a phytosanitary certificate for export.

Fumigation treatment utilises a chemical agent either wholly or primarily in a gaseous state to eliminate pests in plants or plant products.

Methyl bromide is an odourless, colourless gas used to control a wide variety of pests such as fungi, weeds, insects and nematodes (or roundworms) in agriculture and shipping.

It is commonly used on the following to prevent introduction of pests and fulfil official phytosanitary requirements:

• Wood products
• Fresh produce
• Other exported plant products.

Once completed, you will receive a fumigation treatment certificate which you must submit when Applying for a phytosanitary certificate for export.