Dr Christopher Tufton (left), minister of agriculture and fisheries, takes a close look at a parasitoid wasp that is used to attack the pink hibiscus mealy bug as Michelle Sherwood, senior plant protection officer, explains its use during the official opening of the rearing facility for the Anagyrus Kamali at the Veterinary Services Division at Hope Gardens, St Andrew, yesterday. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer
Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton is pleading with individuals to report sightings of the pink hibiscus mealy bug (PHM) in an effort to decrease the threat that the invasive pest poses to the Jamaican economy.
"It is important for us to understand that agriculture is not unrelated to other forms of economic activity, and so all of us have a responsibility to contribute to solving problems such as these," Tufton said yesterday during the opening of a rearing facility for the Anagyrus Kamali, also known as Anagyrus wasp, at the Veterinary Services Division at Hope Gardens, St Andrew.
Jamaica's trading activity has already started to feel the effect of the PHM with Bermuda imposing a ban on the importation of yams from the island.
Under the World Trade Organisation sanitary and phytosanitary agreement, the presence of the mealy bug in the country has required that phytosanitary measures be implemented to satisfy the requirements of the country's trading partners. In addition, countries free of the pest may choose to impose bans on the country's produce if it is not properly managed.
Non-farmers affected
Tufton added that non-farmers whose livelihood is linked to commerce and industry, as well as tourism, could also be affected by the infestation.
"It's not only about agriculture, it's about impacting our lifestyle and a range of possible economic activities, and so that risk has to be addressed," Tufton said.
The Anagyrus Kamali is a parasite documented to be effective towards the control of PHM while remaining harmless to people, plants and other animals.
Tufton said the facility, which was refurbished at a cost of $3 million, is very important in providing the response that is effective to address the mealy bug threat.
Since the mealy bug infection became a problem in Jamaica in 2007, the ministry, through the team effort of the members of the plant health coordinating committee, has implemented a biocontrol programme using the wasp. The country received 47 shipments from the United States government. This has resulted in a reduction of approximately 97 per cent of the pest in Portland and Kingston.
The PMH was initially found in the Manchioneal area of Portland and, since then, has been found in the parishes of St Andrew, St Thomas and St Catherine.
nadisha.hunter@gleanerjm.com