Strengthening biosecurity capabilities essential

By Alexander Rheeney 27 August 2022, 12:00PM

It is essential for Samoa to strengthen its biosecurity capabilities if it is to facilitate safe trade as well as protect the economic livelihoods and food security of the people.

That is the view of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries' Samoa Quarantine Division Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Segialii Marie Malaki-Faaofo, who is attending a regional workshop in Fiji this week with biosecurity and plant health experts from around the region to look at ways to mitigate the spread of plant pests and disease.

The regional workshop will review the draft International Standards of Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) and marks the first face-to-face meeting in 3 years since the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement issued by Samoa's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mrs. Malaki-Faaofo said the COVID-19 pandemic had put a spotlight on the region's vulnerabilities and the critical role biosecurity plays in protecting Pacific communities.

"Samoa is no stranger to how devastating plant pests can be, as we still feel the impacts of the Taro Leaf Blight (TLB) and Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) destruction to this day," she said.

"As more resistant pests begin to emerge, it will be essential for us to strengthen biosecurity, facilitate safe trade, protect the economic livelihoods and the food and nutrition security of our people."

The Pacific region is at high risk, with serious growing concerns such as the Fall Army Worm (FAW), a root crop pest and the recent introduction of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) in Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and parts of Papua New Guinea. With new resistant strains of pests emerging, strengthened biosecurity and plant health efforts become critical, as incursions can take millions of dollars to control.

The meeting is held annually to address these issues to allow participating Pacific Island countries to propose or review regional and international standards through the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) process. With travel still disrupted in parts of the region, the meeting took place in a hybrid format to allow the affected participants to attend virtually.

Mrs. Malaki-Faaofo said it was a good opportunity for Samoa to contribute to the review of the ISPMs, as it is important for the country's voice and opinions to be heard, and share expertise to address any issues or challenges with the application of ISPM in Samoa and other Pacific Island countries in facilitating safe trade while the country's borders remained protected from biosecurity emerging risks.

The three-day workshop highlighted the critical role of the IPPC and the Pacific Plant Protection Organization (PPPO) in including Pacific priorities and realities when reviewing international biosecurity standards. 

Emphasising that the PPPO is a priority, Mrs. Malaki-Faaofo said it is a platform that small Pacific Island countries are connected and linked up to in order to share their resources and expertise.

"This is our pillar of strength that keep our region biosafe," she said. "We are better informed, provide direction and support to prevent the introduction of emerging pests and diseases that will have a huge impact to our livestock industry, plant health, environment and health of our people."

The meeting was attended by over 25 biosecurity and plant health experts from across 15 countries in the Pacific. The event was funded by the European Union (EU) through the Safe Agricultural Trade Facilitation through Economic Integration in the Pacific (SAFE Pacific) project and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations. 

By Alexander Rheeney 27 August 2022, 12:00PM
Samoa Observer

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