Coffee Berry Borer

General Manager Grower and Research Services, Dr Mark Kenny, told Loop PNG  that samples of the CBB pest were sent to the University of Florida almost two months ago.

He said they are yet to receive results from their international partner.

Dr Kenny added the National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority (NAQIA) haa also sent samples to their international partners and are also awaiting results.

Minster for Agriculture and Livestock said it was the government’s intention not to let this happen.

The discovery of the CBB pest, the supply of coffee from the Highlands region is expected to drop following the announcement of a quarantining of the pest from six provinces.

The developments come at a tome when coffee exports were on the rise and with good coffee prices.

Tomscoll said 1.13 million bags of coffee were exported last year. This translated into K650 million entering the country.

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Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Tommy Tomscoll, announced today that he has invoked provisions of law to start the process of quarantining the provinces is to ensure the spread of the CBB pest is contained.

The six provinces include Jiwaka, Chimbu, Enga, Eastern, Southern, and Western Highlands.

“Our officers will post checkpoints at various locations in these provinces and they will do searches to ensure you are not transporting the disease from disease infested areas into near areas.