China increases requirements for U.S. shipping containers because of Zika virus
The United States Department of Agriculture issued an update on China’s current shipping requirements regarding the Zika virus from infected countries. As of August 18, 2016 China requires all U.S. vessels that depart the United States to comply. How these new standards affect wood packaging for ISPM-15 compliance is being addressed by American Lumber Standards Committee. Special Assistant Paul Conway has taken questions from manufacturers...
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Brindley addresses recent study questioning ISPM-15, wood use in packaging
Pallet Enterprise publisher Chaille Brindley weighed in on the report issued by the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies that called for five policy changes that would address invasive pests in the United States. The study calls into question the efficacy of ISPM-15, and its top recommendation is to eliminate the use of wood packaging in favor of plastics, corrugated, etc. Brindley discusses the benefits of continued...
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Department of Justice Fines Company for Fraudulent Stamps
The Department of Justice recently fined American Pallet Recycling, LLC and its owner, Raymond Viola, $100,000 as part of a plea agreement after the facility was found to have certified pallets as compliant with the ISPM-15 regulations with a falsified stamp. Viola will also serve three years probation after pleading guilty to a felony count of falsifying the IPPC mark on wood pallets that had...
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Craig Discusses Concerns About Used Pallets for Decorating Projects
From KSDK News. Craig appeared on KSDK News to discuss some safety concerns when using pallets for decorative projects. Excerpt: Craig Martin is the co-owner of the company American Wood Inspection Services that performs inspections of pallet facilities for export. He says there are things people need to be aware of when looking for pallets to decorate with. “You have no idea where they have...
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Hundreds of trees to be removed from St. Louis Arch grounds in advance of concerns of the emerald ash borer
From St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Exerpt: ST. LOUIS > Construction workers will begin cutting down ash trees on the Gateway Arch grounds as soon as Friday, project coordinators reported Tuesday. The trees are threatened by the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle from China. Moreover, they were planted in poor soil, are getting old, and are reaching the end of their life spans, said the National Park...
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