Importer Dopair to replace bug-infested lounge

A lounge destroyed by wood-eating bugs said to be exotic to Australia will be replaced as a goodwill gesture, its importer says.But the importer claims all the required procedures were followed when the furniture was imported from China.Earlier this month, the Mercury reported that the timber-eating creatures had been found in Unanderra resident Jenny Day's lounge, more than two years after she bought it in Coniston.A Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry spokeswoman said that the creatures were exotic longicorn beetles.The lounge has since been fumigated and thrown out.Keith Myles, director of importer Dopair, said the lounge would be replaced.Mr Myles said each container with goods Dopair imported was fumigated at the point of departure. The company was issued with a certificate which must go to the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) to show that the goods had been fumigated.Each container was only released after the service issued a document stating the container and goods were clear of contamination, he said.He has shown the Mercury copies of the two documents mentioned, which he said were for the container carrying the lounge in question."This is the first issue of this type that we have experienced in 11 years of trading and it is impossible for anybody, including AQIS, the factory, ourselves and the retailer, to know if there was a pre-existing issue within that particular piece of timber used in the frame," Mr Myles said."Although we have documentation showing fumigation was done, and clearance from AQIS for the goods, we, and the retailer ... agree that it is no fault of (the customer) and they should not be left without a lounge under these highly unusual circumstances."