Changes to Fumigation Services in Boston, MA

The United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA–APHIS–PPQ) has been notified by the port of Boston’s approved fumigation service company, General Environmental Services (GES), that it will be discontinuing its methyl bromide fumigation services at the port. Fumigation services will continue until the supply of methyl bromide gas is exhausted or September 1, 2017, whichever comes first. Based on the amount of fumigant remaining, services will likely end before September 1. The timeline is dependent on the type of commodity and treatment required.

If Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists detect actionable pest(s) during inspections of imported cargo and after GES discontinues treatment services, methyl bromide fumigation treatments will not be offered at the port of Boston. Without treatment, shipments with actionable pests may use only two of the options listed on the PPQ Form 529 Emergency Action Notification (EAN): (1) re-export; or (2) destroy the shipment. Due to pest risk during transportation, the shipment cannot be transported to another port for treatment.

Methyl bromide treatments for quarantine pests require a USDA-approved fumigator to conduct the treatment; the USDA cannot conduct the treatments. If another fumigation company is interested in providing fumigation services in Boston, it would need the USDA approval. Interested companies can contact the USDA at 203-741-5644 for additional information. The list of approved treatment facilities will be updated September 1, 2017.

Direct questions regarding the status of fumigation services to the USDA at 203-741-5644 or to kate.r.aitkenhead@aphis.usda.gov.