IPPC hands-on simulation exercise on Fusarium TR4 starts 20 May in Kenya

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat, in partnership with FAO Mesoamerica, FAO Kenya and the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), will carry out hands-on simulation exercise responding to a possible detection of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (TR4), from 20-24 May in Nairobi, Kenya.

This is the first known Fusarium TR4 training simulation exercise and preparedness training on pests of significant concern in Africa.

This simulation exercise is part of the project "FAO support to Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) trade facilitation programme", funded by the European Union. The project supports trade facilitation within the COMESA region where member countries have identified Fusarium TR4 as a priority pest of concern. Fusarium TR4 is one of the biggest threats to banana production worldwide, with the potential to cause up to 100 percent yield loss on banana and plantain farms.

The training will thus strengthen the capacity of the global phytosanitary community to prevent the entry of Fusarium TR4 and be prepared, should the threat arise.