IPPC Guidance on Sea Container Cleanliness

Abstract

Sea containers are a significant pathway for the potential entry of pests, as they move large volumes of internationally traded goods and personal effects. Entry and spread of pests to new areas via sea containers could result in important control and eradication costs, losses in yields and access to export markets, and threaten food security, agriculture, as well as the environment. The industry and the IPPC have undertaken several milestone activities to develop and promote guidelines for countries to manage pest risks via this pathway.

This publication is intended to raise awareness of the issue by national plant protection organizations, border protection agencies, shippers, global shipping companies. It promotes the cleaning and inspection of sea containers and encourages everyone involved in moving containers to ensure that containers and their cargo are free from plant pests.