Ministers endorse action plan to stop spread of Red Palm Weevil

The final day of a three day event 29 - 31 March 2017, to debate and define an international action plan to stop the spread of the Red Palm Weevil (RPW) brought together agricultural ministers and decision makers to review and consider the endorsement of a proposed multi-disciplinary and multi-regional programme and strategy for effective management of RPW.

The new framework, discussed and debated over the course of the first two days during the [Scientific Consultation and High-Level Meeting on Red Palm Weevil2, places the focus on the effective implementation of cross-border phytosanitary standards and aims to provide technical assistance and a platform for inter-regional cooperation and coordination. The framework was produced by an international team of Red Palm Weevil experts from various countries and organizations with the support of FAO, the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM), the IPPC and the Near East Plant Protection Organization (NEPPO).

Agricultural ministers and decision makers agreed on the new strategy during the high level meeting, expressing good will towards implementing the new programme and ensuring its effectiveness. FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva agreed the Red Palm Weevil has become a global threat and demands a global strategy to eradicate it, and noted that the message coming from the scientific consultative meeting is a positive one: The Red Palm Weevil can be controlled and defeated.

IPPC Capacity Development Officer Sarah Brunel played an active role as a member of the Steering Committee for the Proposed Multi-disciplinary and Multi-regional Strategy for the Management of Red Palm Weevil, responsible for contributing IPPC inputs into the strategy and programme and representing the IPPC during the course of the three-day event. The IPPC Seminar Stop the Red Palm Weevil: Contribution of the IPPC to prevent spread of this pest was organized by the IPPC with introductory remarks by IPPC Secretary Jingyuan Xia, opening remarks by H.E. Mohammed Ahmed M. Alghamdi, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to FAO, and presentations by Sarah Brunel, Dr. Michael Ferry, Scientific Director of the Phoenix Research Station, French National Institute for Agricultural Research, and Dr. Mekki Chouibani Executive Director of NEPPO.

IPPC plays a critical role in improving the phytosanitary aspects of national RPW programmes. Supporting the implementation of phytosanitary legislation in countries will require improved capacity development and in particular will require an updating of regulations and measures related to requirements for exports as well as the movement of palms within countries.