Coffee Berry Borer pest may have been introduced: NAQIA

Managing Director of the National Quarantine and Inspection Authority, Joel Alu, says the Coffee Berry Borer (CBB) pest may have been introduced in PNG.

Alu says that the discovery of the pest right in the heartland of the country and not along the periphery’s was suspicious

In an interview with Loop PNG Alu said that had the pest, or any for that matter, entered through the borders it would have been picked up by NAQIA or the Coffee Industry Corporation.

PNG authorities have been able to keep the pest our of the country after first appearing in Indonesia in 1992. However, the recent discovery raised eyebrows as to how it evaded their radar.

“The disease was present in West Sepik. It was eradicated some six to seven years ago. But all of a sudden its not present in that part of the country but its in the heart of PNG and we really do suspect that it is introduced by people,” Alu said.

The suspicion will however have to be confirmed once a ‘delimiting survey is conducted to ascertain the extent of the CBB pests spread and how it can be properly contained and mitigated.

DNA tests on the pest will also establish where it may have originated from.

Author: 
Cedric Patjole