Quarantine procedures and regulatory status of imported wood from Russia, an overall investigation

Currently a part of our wood requirement is supplied through imports from Russia despite the potential risk of quarantine pests and diseases entering the country. Quarantine pests and diseases may be transformed with wood from home country to another and in some cases acquired heavy tool to the forests of destined countries. Considering the importance of the quarantine risks posed by wood imported from Russia a research project was conducted during 2007 to 2009. In the course of implementing the project, regular seasonal inspections were conducted of the imported woods as well as the woods used for load leveling in four points of entry including Astara and Anzali in Gilan, Noshahr and Amirabad in Mazandaran. In case of pests occurrences, conventional direct sampling methods including aspirator, forceps or hair brushes were applied. Following collection and labeling, samples were preserved in glass vials containing 70% alcohol. The primary points of concern were ongoing malpractice and negligence in physical inspection, clearance and treatment procedures in the customs. Better knowledge of the above mentioned subjects would ultimately modify and improve the whole system.