United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine Hardwood MOU Memorandum of Understanding between National Hardwood Lumber Association And Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service

United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine MOU PURPOSE To facilitate the implementation of an APHIS approved and industry issued certification system with respect to the Certification of Kiln Drying Sawn Hardwood Lumber.

United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine Mutual Responsibilities Overall direction of MOU and program maintained by APHIS. Sawn hardwood lumber inspection is performed by industry certified personnel that are administratively responsible to the NHLA Basic control requirement is kiln drying to less than 20 % moisture by weight

United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine Cooperator Responsibilities Inspection of wood to verify kiln drying process Maintain signed agreements with participating facilities Maintain a listing (paper and on-line) of these facilities and the authorized personnel at each.

United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine Cooperator Responsibilities On-site inspections of registered facilities equipment and the skills of the kiln operator. Inspectors are industry-certified and independent of the treatment facility Inspections performed each month a shipment is scheduled

United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine Cooperator Responsibilities Inspections include: Document verification (i.e. board feet of KD processed material) Kiln treatment records review Moisture testing Lot number verification on bundle bands of representative sample present Review segregation and inspection practices Written report of facility audit.

United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine Cooperator Responsibilities Ensure inspected facilities make files and records available for APHIS inspection Retain inspection records for three years after the close of the Federal fiscal year in which the inspection occurred.

United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine APHIS Responsibilities Bi-annual audit performed by headquarters. Audits to ensure the inspection agencies : Are independent of the mills Inspectors are industry-certified Inspectors files, records, training and certification are proper and current.

United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine APHIS Responsibilities Training Requirements: Kiln Calibration Probe placement and numbers Use of moisture meters Recording & filing of product and inspection information Product positioning within the kiln Product storage Review of shipping and training documentation

United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine APHIS Responsibilities Bi-annual facility audits Performed at participating facilities and points of export Scheduled by local PPQ officers Region and headquarters will verify completion and maintain reports

United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine APHIS Responsibilities Inspection Reports: Distributed to inspected facility, regional office, and PIM. When facility fails inspection send facility a preliminary inspection report within 7 days. The report should include recommendations to meet compliance. Final reports should be distributed within 21 business days, as described above.

United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine Future Possibilities Use certification as a building block for certification of: Wood chip Mulch Shavings

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