From 1 September 2015, the licensing arrangement for pest management technicians and fumigators was transferred from SafeWork NSW to the NSW EPA. As a result, EPA is now the regulator for the use of fumigants and pesticides in NSW.
The fumigant methyl bromide is used in Australia, and is an ozone-depleting substance. Methyl bromide is therefore only permitted for use to enable biosecurity for Australia in quarantine and pre-shipment purposes. Australia is a Party to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Montreal Protocol). Parties to the Montreal Protocol agreed to curtail the use and production of methyl bromide due to its characteristics as an ozone-depleting chemical. During 2016 EPA required that all users of methyl bromide perform air quality impact assessments upon the use of the fumigant, and provide mitigation options to reduce emissions of the fumigant to air.
MJM Environmental has been successfully involved in with all stakeholders for and aspects of the fumigation projects, including:
- Suppliers of the methyl bromide
- Direct users of methyl bromide (fumigators), including for interstate transport of fruits, quarantine and pre-shipment service suppliers
- Regulatory authorities
- Design of air treatment systems for methyl bromide emission reduction and capture
MJM Environmental provides a team of engineers and scientists with expertise in air emission monitoring and assessment. This enables us to not only assess the risks of methyl bromide to our environment, but also provide practicable solutions to control emissions of the fumigant and enable it to be used sustainably.