Export Wood Packaging Newsletter
EXPORT REQUIREMENTS
We are all affected
As you may or may not be aware, phytosanitary restrictions on any lumber items used by pallet manufacturers, crate manufacturers or crate-your-own companies that will be exported from the United States are currently being implemented by China, Brazil, Australia, Japan, and the European Union (EU). These restrictions have been introduced to stop the spread of the pinewood nematode between international ports. The current USDA-APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspections Service) rules accept:
1. Coniferous species (pine) only if it has been kiln dried to a core temperature of 56º Celsius (133 Fahrenheit) for 30 minutes.
2. Any non-coniferous wood, green or dry, such as hardwood.
3. Non-solid wood products such as plywood, OSB, laminated veneer lumber, medium density fiberboard, etc.
THE RULES ARE CHANGING
Wood Remains the BEST Alternative
In February of 2001 the International Plant Protection Organization (IPPO), a division of the United Nations, approved a draft standard that would require all solid wood packaging (both hardwood and softwood) to be heat treated to 56º Celsius core temperature for 30 minutes. This presents a problem for anyone exporting hardwood or softwood lumber that has not met this heat treatment requirement. If you are currently using green hardwood, you will need to move to an accepted product soon. The earliest anticipated date for the completion of these global standards is April 2003.
We are committed to keeping our customers informed of these changes as they occur. We not only want to earn your trust as a valued supplier, but we want to be your primary "information center" for this important subject that affects us ALL.
Conner Industries, Inc.
3800 Sandshell Dr., Ste 235
Fort Worth, Texas 76137
Phone (800)543-4893
Fax (817)232-5083
*IMPORTANT DATES*
*October 1, 2001*
EU regulations have taken effect on all solid coniferous wood packing material.
*January 2002*
The anticipated date for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's APHIS's proposed rules to be available to the public.
*April 2003*
The earliest anticipated date for IPPO global regulatory standards.
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WOOD WORKS!!!!!!!!!!*
Our only renewable resource
· Wood is 15 times as efficient an insulator as concrete, 400 times as efficient as steel and 1,770 times as efficient as aluminum
· 4.4 million trees are planted every day, which calculates to 5.8 trees a year for every American
· Wood is reusable, recyclable, and biodegradable. Inorganic materials call for additional energy drains to recycle or dispose of them when use has terminated.
*Source: Southern Forest Products Association
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For more information contact us by e-mailing or calling toll free (800) 543-4893.
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions, updated as of October 15, 2001, for answers to your Export questions.
If you have complaints or concerns about the Export issues, pleasecontact the following people:
Tom Searles - ALS - (800)260-9173
Ronnie Williams & Jay Moore - TPI (770)922-8000
Tom Jones & Jim Loy - SPIB ((850)434-2611
Your Congressman and Senator
Conner Industries remanufactures and wholesales lumber and wood products to industrial, packaging, and crating industries.
Plants are located in: Haslet, TX; Alamo, TX; Conroe, TX; Stilwell, OK; Chester, VA; Hamilton, OH; Jackson, MS; Lugoff, SC.