Authority finds presence of vegetable-destroying worm in Western

A STUDY by the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (Naqia) has revealed the presence of ‘fall army worm’ in Western.
Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) larvae destroys vegetables, mostly corn and rice.
According to the authority’s entomologist David Tenakanai, the insect originated in South Africa.
He said Naqia had been monitoring the insect’s movement and until recently they suspected it had come from the Torres Strait.
Tenakanai said the insect could completely destroy food crops.
Agriculture Minister John Simon urged the national government to approve Naqia’s budget given the immediate need to protect the country’s animals and plants from foreign pests and diseases.
In the long term, Simon said Naqia would also need to have yards to hold containers for proper checks.
At the moment, he said Naqia officers had to run after importers to conduct checks.