Question & AnswerQ&A (FPA MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 01, S. 2006)
The National Methyl Bromide Phase-out Strategy is a program instituted to comply with the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, aiming to reduce and phase out the use of methyl bromide. It was implemented starting January 2005 with the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) as the lead agency.
Quarantine Application refers to treatments using methyl bromide to prevent the introduction, establishment, and/or spread of quarantine pests or to ensure their official control, performed or authorized by a national plant, animal, environmental protection, or health authority.
Quarantine Application is performed to control quarantine pests as authorized by national authorities, while Pre-shipment Application refers to treatments applied within 21 days prior to export to meet requirements of the importing country or official requirements of the exporting country, also authorized by national authorities.
No, QPS uses of methyl bromide are exempted from the use reduction and phase-out provisions of the Montreal Protocol.
Permits for purchasing methyl bromide are subject to strict guidelines including suspension of permits for controlled/non-QPS use until further notice, special permits for emergency applications, volume limits based on previous usage for QPS, submission of monthly disposition reports to FPA, coordination with BPI-PQS for export/import fumigation, and strict compliance policies including 'NO PERMIT, NO SALE' and 'NO DISPOSITION REPORT, NO PERMIT'.
Handlers/applicators with existing inventory from previous purchases are prohibited from using such stock for controlled/non-exempt fumigation purposes.
These uses require coordination with BPI-PQS and are documented through issuance of either a Phytosanitary or Fumigation Certificate by the BPI-PQS.
Violators face administrative sanctions including suspension of FPA licenses as pesticide importers, distributors or handlers, cancellation or non-issuance of Certificate Authorizing Importation of Pesticide (CAIP) and Permit to Purchase Methyl Bromide, and potential criminal prosecution under the penal provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1144.
The permit shall be issued within seven (7) working days from receipt of a complete application/request to allow for review and evaluation of submitted documents. It may be issued sooner if requirements are promptly met.
Disposition Reports must be submitted monthly by methyl bromide users to the FPA and should be received not later than the fifteenth (15) day of the succeeding month. Incomplete or improperly accomplished reports will be returned to the applicant.