Conference Sessions & Scientific Topics

1- Biological responses of organisms to MA and fumigants

Responses of insects, mites, microflora and other bioagents
Ecology, population and development
Metabolism and physiology
Toxicology and mode of action

2- Quality preservation, safety and protection of the environment

Effect of MA and fumigants on quality of stored products
Fumigant residues on products
Safety apparatus or equipment
Protection of the environment, human health issues
Cargo safety associated with plant quarantine treatment technique and method
Fumigation techniques and safety issues

3- Methyl bromide alternatives

Alternative treatments for commodities, space and structures
Alternative treatments for non grain treatments, such as beverages (coffee and cocoa), bulbs, seeds, herbs and spices
Alternative treatments for quarantine
MB recovery techniques; scrubbing / recapture /reuse technology

4- Novel fumigants and application technologies

Fumigants and other gases application technology
Flour / rice mill fumigation
Warehouse/Museum/structural fumigation
Improved application methods and technologies

5- MA and hermetic storage application technologies

Effects of hermetic storage on product preservation
Responses of microflora and moist grain to hermetic storage
Application of MA or hermetic storage on non grain commodities such as beverages (coffee and cocoa), bulbs, herbs and spices
Application of MA or hermetic storage in rigid structures
Application of MA or hermetic storage in flexible structures

6- Sealing techniques and MA / fumigation engineering

Modeling gas flow, distribution and loss
Gas supply
Gas monitoring techniques
Fumigant generators
Recirculation of gas
Optimising sealing and gastightness
Sealing materials and techniques
Storage design to facilitate application of MA and fumigants
Pressure testing of chambers, containers and facilities

7- Resistance to fumigants and pest management strategies

Pest resistance
Management of pest resistance
Monitoring, surveys and detection methods

8- Quarantine and regulatory issues

Registration status of new products
Label review and re-registration status of existing products
Quarantine and pre-shipment (QPS) regulations (ISPM-15, ISPM-28, etc)
Methyl bromide phase-out status (Critical Use Exemptions, carryover stocks, etc)
Montreal Protocol and International Plant Protection Convention coordination efforts
Fumigant emissions, emissions profiles, and buffer zone requirements
Regulatory issues affecting MA and fumigant adoption and use in various countries

9- Integrated commodity management

Loss assessment in relation to MA and fumigation
Decision support systems
Integration of MA / fumigation with the other techniques