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Be ready if fall armyworm comes knocking at your door
New FAO guidelines help countries limit the global spread of this plant pest
Fall armyworm is one of the most dangerous plant pests in the world, feeding on more than 80 crops, and affecting plant health in more than 70 countries with many others at high risk of introduction.
The regions where fall armyworm is absent or where its spread is limited can be counted on one hand. Due to favourable conditions in southern Europe, southwest Pacific, the Near East and North Africa, countries
in these regions are particularly at risk of severe damage if fall armyworm is introduced into their territories.
Many countries and regions of the world have now listed the fall armyworm as a priority pest to identify and prevent, due to its incredibly high reproductive rate and the virtual impossibility of being eradicated
once established. Working to stop its spread has become a global concern.
That is why FAO and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) have developed new Prevention, preparedness and early response guidelines to limit fall armyworm’s spread worldwide. These guidelines
offer globally harmonized measures and actions that countries can take to minimize the spread of the pest and protect their territories.
Here are five actions countries can take now to prevent infestation:
1. Invest in prevention
Prevention is better than a cure. This is particularly true of fall armyworm, as once it has found itself in a new territory, the only thing countries can do is to control its presence and manage the damage.
Countries should set up prevention and preparedness plans while the pest is still absent. Check the guidelines to find the important elements to include in this plan. Investing in prevention saves countries technical and financial resources.
2. Evaluate the risk
3. Coordinate and cooperate
Every year, over 180 countries from all over the world come together to adopt international standards for plant health and identify measures to ensure that plants and crops entering a country aren’t carrying
pests that are subject to quarantine. Once a country knows it is at particular risk of fall armyworm entering, it should update the status of the pest and the list of commodities subject to any phytosanitary import requirements. This action is crucial to trade
plants and agri-food products in a safe manner and to avoid pests being introduced with commodities, vehicles or other means.
Currently, countries in southern Europe, the Near East and North Africa and the Pacific regions are particularly at risk of introduction.
4. Stop fall armyworm at borders
Border officials must be well trained to stop fall armyworm by all possible pathways. Luckily, fall armyworm can be spotted and identified without any special equipment. A hand lens and a close eye are enough
to detect this pest, even in its early stages. Border inspectors should check the underside of leaves for eggs and use pheromones traps during inspection. Adult worms can be found in commodities that are transported and chilled; laboratory diagnostics can
also confirm specimens found.
5. Let others know about the risk
Communication is critical not only to monitor and manage fall armyworm before and after incursion but also to share information and best practices that may help countries take appropriate actions against
the pest. Developing pest risk communication strategies and stakeholder awareness programmes is essential to help farmers, growers and the industry in general get ready in case of a fall armyworm introduction. Government agencies and plant protection organizations
can provide technical advice on how to identify fall armyworm and the way to report its presence to national authorities.
For example, the plant protection service of Lombardia, Italy has launched a mobile application to engage citizens and professionals together in pest prevention and rapid alert. Through the FitoDetective
app, people can learn more about pests, including fall armyworm, and send reports, which will be verified by local phytosanitary inspectors.
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The original story and related photos can be found at: https://www.fao.org/fao-stories/article/en/c/1455334/ |
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(+39) 06 570 53625 This email was issued by the Media Office at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
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