Agriculture: Mauritius Feared an Attack of Fruit Flies

The fruit fly, which was also found in other countries in the region, including the Comoros, Madagascar and South Africa, tackles a wide variety of fruits, including bananas, breadfruit, lychee and mango, as well as vegetables - tomato, pepper, cucumber, pumpkin, eggplant and squash. The entomology department of the ministry has meanwhile started an eradication campaign to protect fruits and vegetables this pest.

Considered one of the most damaging species in the world, the fruit fly is native to Southeast Asia and has spread across the continent. It tackles the cultivated and wild fruits are laying eggs, making it impossible human consumption. Its eradication is one of the long term strategies of several international organizations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Representatives of member countries of the IAEA will also in Mauritius in June for a coordination meeting with the aim of finalizing the common protocol and procedures for management of fruit flies proposed by the IAEA.

An emergency plan

Mauritius will host from 10 to 14 June, the second coordination meeting of the project to finalize the common protocol and procedures for management of fruit flies of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Fifteen participants from IAEA Member States, including Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania, the Seychelles and France are expected to attend, with the aim of finalizing an emergency action plan to control the fly fruits.

Implement the control of existing species with the sterile insect technique and other methods of removing this project aims. It should be recalled that in January 2012, it was agreed that the Government of Mauritius to host first coordination meeting for the regional project of the IAEA. This is why a meeting in this regard was held from February 13 to 15. The purpose of this meeting was to share experiences on activities related to the fight against fruit flies in the Member State concerned and discuss ways to strengthen sub-regional cooperation to control the invasion of species of flies exotic fruits, among others.

Regarding the meeting convened in June, the main objectives are: (i) finalize the joint emergency response plan for exotic fruit fly (ii) review the draft program of activities and procedures implementation, and (iii) finalize the modalities for strengthening sub-regional cooperation to prevent the invasion of species of exotic fruit fly and improve control of existing species.

It is expected that all costs will be incurred by delegates by the IAEA. For its part, the Mauritian Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security will provide local and secretarial services.