Paul Mayaka

Posted on Tue, 17 May 2022, 09:10 Rome, 10 May 2022. The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat held the third and last session of the virtual workshop series on Fusarium TR4. The session focused on the importance of inspection, identifying pathways and commodities of Fusarium TR4, and simulation exercises. Over 120 participants from around 100 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Near East and North Africa, attended the virtual workshop. The scale of the threat Fusarium TR4 poses to the world banana industry is high. Bananas and plantains are produced in more than 135 countries and are a staple crop for food security and an essential source of income in many developing countries. Therefore, expansion of Fusarium TR4 threatens to create numerous social, economic, and political problems. “I am confident and optimistic that the workshop series on Fusarium TR4 diagnostic, surveillance, inspection and simulation exercises will provide you with a clearer understanding of Fusarium TR4, and the mitigation measures that should be in place,” said Osama El-Lissy, IPPC Secretary, in his opening remarks. “This training on Fusarium Tropical Race 4 diagnostic, surveillance, inspection and simulation exercises is very important to our region. The knowledge that will be acquired from the training will go a long way in the effective control of plant diseases in the region,” said Providence Mavubi, director of the Industry and Agriculture Program of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Secretariat. The TR4 Global Network (TR4GN) was established by the World Banana Forum and FAO to create a dedicated platform and knowledge hub for exchange and collaboration on preventing the spread of Fusarium TR4 across the globe. Presentation on the initiatives led by TR4GN, was delivered by Victor Prada, Secretary of the World Banana Forum. These initiatives make it possible to raise awareness among key stakeholders involved in banana production globally, collaborate internationally, and take local actions to prevent Fusarium TR4 introduction, and early detection, management, containment, and eradication of Fusarium TR4. Ecuador shared its experience with the webinar participants on successfully preventing Fusarium TR4 introduction in a region where the pathogen has already emerged in neighboring countries like Colombia and Peru. To save the banana industry from invasion of Fusarium TR4, Ecuador has established and strengthened measures to prevent emergence of pathogen, such as: the development of regulations, surveillance, and diagnosis; import of Musaceae propagation materials from authorized sites at the source, disinfection of vehicles, machinery, containers in ports, footwear in ports and airports, and inspection of passengers and their luggage. Monica Gallo, Plant Health General Coordinator at the Ecuadorian NPPO stated, “We protect the country from the most destructive pest of Musaceae, we are in alert.“ Lastly, the webinar covered simulation exercises as integral part of an early warning and emergency response system. These exercises are beneficial in evaluating the decision-making process and validating emergency preparedness and response plans. “The effective response to the outbreak of a quarantine pest depends on the preparation of coordinated actions that, if executed appropriately, will minimize the possible impacts. Contingency plans are not theoretical exercises; they must be tested frequently to be evaluated, adjusted, and updated,” stated Nancy Villegas from the Organización Internacional Regional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (OIRSA). The IPPC Secretariat, within the framework of the “FAO support to COMESA trade facilitation programme,” will conduct simulation exercises in two selected COMESA member states, to further strengthen capacities to address the threat posed by Fusarium TR4. Likewise, the IPPC Secretariat is developing the prevention, preparedness, and response guidelines for Fusarium TR4, which will be published in 2022.

The International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) is being Celebrated on 12 of May, 2022 with the Theme: “PLANT HEALTH INNOVATION FOR FOOD SECURITY”. This day 12 May was Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 29 March as an International Day of Plant Health (IDPH). This means that starting this year, 12 May will be celebrated as such. Accordingly, Zambia through the Ministry of Agriculture is spearheading preparation for celebration of this Day. Zambia with the rest of the world is observing this great and important Day. For further details you can read through the Flyer below; http://www.pqps.gov.zm/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IDPH-2022-MAY.pdf

Greetings stakeholders; Just to remind everyone that the training workshop for Fumigation Treatment & Wood Packaging Material Treatment will be taking place from the 17th to 19th of May, 2022. You will do well to start confirming participation by today . For more details refer to the attached latter. http://www.pqps.gov.zm/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/DIRECTOR-TO-CB-STAKEHOLDERS-WPM-FUMIGATION-TRAINING.pdf

Posted on Fri, 22 Apr 2022, 14:33 Rome, 21 April 2022. Emerging pests and specifically Spodoptera frugiperda (Fall armyworm) and Fusarium TR4 are among the major threats to global food security, plant health and livelihoods. Since the fourteenth session of Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) in 2019 when the concept of emerging pests was discussed, significant progress has been made on understanding how the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Community could develop and strengthen global Pest Outbreak Alert and Response Systems (POARS). During CPM-16, a report on the activities of the CPM Focus Group on POARS, established in late 2020 by the CPM Bureau on behalf of the CPM, was presented by the Focus Group’s chairperson, Mireille Marcotte from Canada. The Focus Group report includes a set of recommendations for the CPM to consider regarding the development, implementation and maintenance of a global Pest Outbreak Alert and Response System (POARS) coordinated by the Secretariat. A number of contracting parties commended the efforts and progress so far, thanking the focus group for the significant efforts made on investigating how global pest response systems can be efficiently set. The proposals from the focus group generated a lengthy discussion among contracting parties, including a proposal for a new CPM subsidiary body, the POARS Committee. With the proposal of a new subsidiary body deemed to be ultimately too costly, some contracting parties showed support for the establishment of an interim steering group. With respect to the development of the global POARS itself, the CPM noted that any global system would need to be aligned with regional systems and that alternative options to the model proposed could include addressing the scope of POARS through FAO regions and RPPOs. Given a wide range of views on the proposed governance model and the development of the global POARS itself, a Friends of the Chair meeting resulted in revisions to the recommendations for CPM decision and to the draft terms of reference for the POARS steering group. Following the Friends of the Chair meeting, CPM-16 agreed as an interim measure to establish a POARS Steering Group to work on establishing a POARS capability, to revise the POARS Steering Group Terms of Reference to reflect the discussions of the CPM and to be submitted to the CPM Bureau for approval and requested that the secretariat open a call for experts once the bureau has given its approval. CPM-16 also requested that the Finance Committee consider how to allocate an appropriate level of resources to continue the work on POARS during 2022 and encouraged CPs to contribute extra-budgetary resources to help fund the POARS workplan. When presenting the Secretariat on emerging pests, namely on Spodoptera frugiperda (Fall armyworm) and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense Tropical race 4 (Fusarium TR4 also known as Banana Fusarium Wilt), contracting parties supported these activities and suggested other pests to be considered. Sarah Brunel, Officer in Charge for Implementation Facilitation Unit – daily matters, indicated “these proposals on other pests will be made to the POARS Steering Group, once it is established, to be considered for inclusion in IPPC Secretariat activities on emerging pests, as a framework now exists for such proposals”. Related information: Workshop Series: Fusarium TR4 Diagnostic, Surveillance, Inspection and Simulation Exercises

Greetings To All Stakeholders. Just to remind everyone that the training workshop for Fumigation Treatment & Wood Packaging Material Treatment (WPM) will be taking place from the 17th – 19th of May, 2022. You will do well to start confirming participation. For more details refer to the attached Letter Below; http://www.pqps.gov.zm/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/DIRECTOR-TO-CB-STAKEHOLDERS-WPM-FUMIGATION-TRAINING.pdf

Zambia has started mass export of Avocado fruits to European. The first consignment of over 37 metric tons of avocados comes after the country successfully met Phytosanitary requirements to export the fruit to countries in the EU. And Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary GREEN MBOZI says the move marks the beginning of huge market opportunities for Zambian Avocado growers. Meanwhile, Ministry of Agriculture Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Services Director KENNETH MSISKA has revealed that Zambia is almost concluding with authorities in South Africa to start exporting Avocados to that country. Meanwhile PIERRE VERCUEIL from Kabwe’s Buttermere Farms who is among the exporters says the exported Avocados are the first round being exported from the Farm started 11 years ago.