SITC

Servicio Internacional de Tratamientos Cuarentenarios 

Since its formation, the Organization has been oriented towards providing technical support to its nine member countries in actions related to animal health, plant health, food safety, and the strengthening of their quarantine systems.

In this context, CIRSA resolved to create the International Fumigation Service (SIF) in 1973, which today is the International Quarantine Treatment Service (SITC), operated and managed by OIRSA. The purpose of this service is to support the national agricultural quarantine services of the member countries, thereby preventing or delaying the entry of exotic pests and diseases into any of them while enhancing the commercial exchange of agricultural products both within and outside the region.

This joint and coordinated work of both services continues to be carried out at the member states' airports, seaports, and land borders.

The technical personnel are trained in quarantine treatment procedures, following the treatment orders provided by the Agricultural Quarantine inspectors to control any pest organism that may be found in the merchandise.

What are quarantine treatments?

These are procedures by which pests and diseases affecting plants and animals are eliminated. For each treatment, SITC uses chemical products that, when properly applied, do not represent a danger to people, animals, or plants.

These treatments are governed by globally accepted standards, established in manuals of renowned institutions such as FAO and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and OIRSA's manuals based on international research and its own experience. In addition, the technical staff is being certified in the AFAS Methyl Bromide Fumigation Standard, by experts from the Australian Department of Agriculture, which will allow the harmonization of procedures and quality control of treatments at border control points, wood packaging treatments, and pre-shipment treatments.

Why are they performed?

To destroy viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, insects, arthropods, mites, and harmful seeds that cause pests and diseases of economic, quarantine, and public health importance.

To which products are they applied?

  • To products and by-products of animal and vegetable origin: grains, seeds, fruits and vegetables, woods, and others.
  • Also, means of transportation include vehicles, ships, railway wagons, containers, trailers, platforms, luggage compartments, and aircraft cargo.

Map of SITC positions

Ing. José Iván Hernández

Director Regional de Servicios Cuarentenarios a.i.
Email: scuarentenarios@oirsa.org
Tel. (503) 2209-9200, Ext. 203

Quarantine treatment types

Fumigation

Application of a fumigant in the form of gas that eliminates the pest that has been intercepted in the merchandise.

Spraying

A product mixture with a carrier agent forms 100 to 250-micron droplets, controlling pest organisms.

Atomization

Application of a formulated substance as an aerosol with particles ranging from 0.5 to 50 microns.

Nebulization

Distribution of a mixture between the product and the transport agent, which forms particles of 1 to 50 microns, which remain suspended in the area to be treated.

Immersion

Placing goods in hot water raises them to a specific temperature for a specific period.

Benefits of quarantine treatments

  1. The risk of introducing pests and/or diseases that could seriously affect the agricultural assets of member countries and their competitiveness in third markets is eliminated or minimized.
  1. It protects and reduces damage to agricultural products entering the country, increasing the availability of foodstuffs.
  1. Trade is facilitated since quarantine treatments are an alternative to quarantine prohibition, benefiting producers, importers, exporters, and consumers.