The United States is taking steps which may lead to a worldwide ban on wood packing and pallets.
Growing concern in the US and Canada about the threat from exotic insects being brought into the country has already resulted in a ban on untreated wooden crates from the mainland.
The Asian long-horned beetle, which came from the mainland and provoked that ban, is presently munching its way through leafy suburbs in Chicago and Long Island.
Next year, the US will solicit opinion on ways to prevent the spread of these kinds of dangerous pests.
Washington will start a process early next year to evaluate, on a global basis, wood boring pests and will propose developing a regulation that applies globally, said a US official.
An administrative device referred to as an Advance Notice of Proposed Rule Making will be issued by the US administration to open the debate.