Australia, RP launch fumigation scheme to boost trade

MANILA, Philippines - Australia and the Philippines have launched a P6-million fumigation accreditation scheme that aims to ease the entry of Philippine export products to Australia. The program is being implemented after a successful two-year training and accreditation for local fumigators in the last two years, the Australian Embassy said in its website. "With the implementation of the AFAS, the Philippines will now have an improved capability to treat products requiring fumigation for export to Australia and other markets," said Australian ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith. Smith launched the Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS) together with Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) Director Joel Rudinas. The AFAS gets funding from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). Smith said AFAS is a "significant initiative in our efforts to further strengthen trade relations between Australia and the Philippines." He said the BPI and the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) have worked tirelessly to ensure the successful transfer of skills and knowledge to the Philippine fumigation industry. This includes training and accrediting fumigators and government officers, and registering fumigation companies, he said. Training under the AFAS Philippines project started in 2006. AFAS aims to enhance the technical expertise of Philippine fumigation providers through training to meet Australia's quarantine requirements. Similar AFAS schemes are also operating in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, India, and Papua New Guinea. "The AFAS will contribute to environmentally sustainable development with the decreased use of methyl bromide— a known ozone depleting gas associated with a number of occupational health and safety issues," Smith said. He added that in addition to creating new trade opportunities with Australia, the scheme will also enhance the marketability of Philippine products to other countries and assist local businesses by reducing import and export costs. "The implementation of the AFAS in the Philippines will assist the Philippines meet its goal to establish a wider market for its products. The Australian Government is very supportive of this endeavor and will continue to work with the Philippine Government to help improve the Philippines' capacity to take advantage of global markets," he said. - GMANews.TV