FAO chooses Italian microwave technology to prevent the diffusion of pests
Pests moving on pallets, also on trunks, lumber, plants and fruits, endanger about 4 billion hectares of the planetary forest heritage (0,6 hectares per capita) everyday, in addition to metropolitan parks and gardens. Regarding Europe, the EU Commission estimates potential infestation risks for 10 to 13 million hectares of coniferous, causing monetary losses ranging from 39 to 49 billion Euros.
The 178 member countries taking part in the international IPPC-FAO agreement have been working for 20 years to implement 36 standards to prevent and manage phytosanitary risks; one of these, ISPM No. 15 establishes mandatory pest-control treatments for wood packaging material (pallets and small and large sized crates for freight), considered one of the main vehicles for the spread of insects and pathogenic organisms.
Heat treatment by drying ovens has been considered the best solution, until now, though it is long, not always safe and energy-intensive, but on 9th April, the 8th Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures, in the FAO Headquarters in Rome, officially approved the microwave dielectric treatment as new phytosanitary measure to be used along with the traditional type and the treatment with methyl bromide, toxic gas already banned in many countries.
FAO Plenary Hall in Rome
The first company in the world able to provide this technology is Italian: EMitech, based in Molfetta (Bari), developed the method after an attentive study conducted in close collaboration and with the financial support of the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies. EMitech produces microwave systems for disinfestations to be immediately integrated into the production lines of companies specialized in the production and reparation of pallets and related components.
The phytosanitary treatment carried out by EMitech’s systems involves biological disinfestations (mortality of pests in all life stages, from egg to adult) which are not only rapid, eco-friendly and safe, but also cost-effective since this technology allows a reduction in energy consumption of 80% compared to the treatments in drying ovens. The first system is already operative at the premises of a company in the province of Brescia, one of the most active industrial and logistical districts in Northern Italy.
The wooden pallet, the world's most widely used packaging material, will immediately benefit from the outset of the technology: in Europe alone, according to estimates by the European Commission, 2.5 billion pallets circulate and there is a yearly production of about 530 million. Italy, France and Germany are the three main producers and principal exporters of commodities on pallets to countries inside and outside the European Union.
Per informazioni:
EMitech srl
Tel.: (+39) 080 9900295
Email: info@emitech.it
Web: www.emitech.it