Phytosanitary risk associated with illegal importation of pest-infested commodities to the South African agricultural sector

We evaluated the phytosanitary risk associated with illegal importation of pest-infested plant commodities into South Africa. Samples were collected from different South African ports of entry over 8 years (2011 to 2019) and data were analysed descriptively using Statistical Software Package. Pests...

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Main Authors: Phumudzo P. Tshikhudo, Livhuwani R. Nnzeru, Maanda Rambauli, Rudzani A. Makhado, Fhathuwani N. Mudau
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Academy of Science of South Africa 2021-07-01
Series:South African Journal of Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://sajs.co.za/article/view/8675
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author Phumudzo P. Tshikhudo
Livhuwani R. Nnzeru
Maanda Rambauli
Rudzani A. Makhado
Fhathuwani N. Mudau
author_facet Phumudzo P. Tshikhudo
Livhuwani R. Nnzeru
Maanda Rambauli
Rudzani A. Makhado
Fhathuwani N. Mudau
author_sort Phumudzo P. Tshikhudo
collection DOAJ
description We evaluated the phytosanitary risk associated with illegal importation of pest-infested plant commodities into South Africa. Samples were collected from different South African ports of entry over 8 years (2011 to 2019) and data were analysed descriptively using Statistical Software Package. Pests were frequently detected on commodity species such as Citrus (18.31%), Zea mays (13.22%), Phaseolus vulgaris (12.88%), Musa spp. (9.15%) and Fragaria ananassa (5.08%). The highest number of pests intercepted occurred on fresh fruits (44.06%), followed by grains (26.44%) and vegetables (14.23%). The most intercepted organisms were Callosobruchus rhodesianus (7.79%), Dysmicoccus brevipes (7.11%), Callosobruchus maculates (6.10%) and Phyllosticta citricarpa (4.74%). The majority of intercepted organisms were non-quarantine organisms (70.50%), followed by pests of unknown status (17.28%), quarantine pests (10.84%) and potential quarantine pests (1.35%). Phyllosticta citricarpa, Bactrocera dorsalis, Spodoptera frugiperda and Prostephanus truncatus were the only quarantine pests intercepted in terms of South African regulatory status. The interception was mainly from southern African countries, particularly Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Eswatini. The findings present the level of phytosanitary risk associated with illegal importation and/or non-compliance in regard to plants and plant commodities from different countries through South African ports of entry. Crop production, biodiversity, food security, existing export markets, and access to new export markets could be threatened as importing countries may impose stringent phytosanitary measures to limit the chances of introduction and establishment of quarantine pests into their territories.   Significance • Illegal importation of plant commodities may lead to the introduction, establishment and spread of pests that are of quarantine significance to South Africa. • Introduction of pest species such as Phyllosticta citricarpa, Bactrocera dorsalis, Spodoptera frugiperda and Prostephanus truncatus into South Africa could result in undesirable impacts on the ecosystem, agriculture, biodiversity and economy of the country. • Access to new export markets of plant commodities could be threatened as importing countries may impose stringent phytosanitary measures to limit the chances of introduction and establishment of these quarantine pests into their territories.
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spelling doaj.art-8a9675135d1a4b1a856288b17e89e6c52022-12-21T23:15:58ZengAcademy of Science of South AfricaSouth African Journal of Science1996-74892021-07-011177/810.17159/sajs.2021/8675Phytosanitary risk associated with illegal importation of pest-infested commodities to the South African agricultural sectorPhumudzo P. Tshikhudo0Livhuwani R. Nnzeru1Maanda Rambauli2Rudzani A. Makhado3Fhathuwani N. Mudau4Directorate: Plant Health, Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Pretoria, South AfricaDirectorate: Biosecurity, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Cape Town, South AfricaDirectorate: Plant Health, Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Pretoria, South AfricaDepartment of Biodiversity, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South AfricaSchool of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South AfricaWe evaluated the phytosanitary risk associated with illegal importation of pest-infested plant commodities into South Africa. Samples were collected from different South African ports of entry over 8 years (2011 to 2019) and data were analysed descriptively using Statistical Software Package. Pests were frequently detected on commodity species such as Citrus (18.31%), Zea mays (13.22%), Phaseolus vulgaris (12.88%), Musa spp. (9.15%) and Fragaria ananassa (5.08%). The highest number of pests intercepted occurred on fresh fruits (44.06%), followed by grains (26.44%) and vegetables (14.23%). The most intercepted organisms were Callosobruchus rhodesianus (7.79%), Dysmicoccus brevipes (7.11%), Callosobruchus maculates (6.10%) and Phyllosticta citricarpa (4.74%). The majority of intercepted organisms were non-quarantine organisms (70.50%), followed by pests of unknown status (17.28%), quarantine pests (10.84%) and potential quarantine pests (1.35%). Phyllosticta citricarpa, Bactrocera dorsalis, Spodoptera frugiperda and Prostephanus truncatus were the only quarantine pests intercepted in terms of South African regulatory status. The interception was mainly from southern African countries, particularly Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Eswatini. The findings present the level of phytosanitary risk associated with illegal importation and/or non-compliance in regard to plants and plant commodities from different countries through South African ports of entry. Crop production, biodiversity, food security, existing export markets, and access to new export markets could be threatened as importing countries may impose stringent phytosanitary measures to limit the chances of introduction and establishment of quarantine pests into their territories.   Significance • Illegal importation of plant commodities may lead to the introduction, establishment and spread of pests that are of quarantine significance to South Africa. • Introduction of pest species such as Phyllosticta citricarpa, Bactrocera dorsalis, Spodoptera frugiperda and Prostephanus truncatus into South Africa could result in undesirable impacts on the ecosystem, agriculture, biodiversity and economy of the country. • Access to new export markets of plant commodities could be threatened as importing countries may impose stringent phytosanitary measures to limit the chances of introduction and establishment of these quarantine pests into their territories.https://sajs.co.za/article/view/8675food securityfresh fruitgrainsinterceptionpestsquarantine
spellingShingle Phumudzo P. Tshikhudo
Livhuwani R. Nnzeru
Maanda Rambauli
Rudzani A. Makhado
Fhathuwani N. Mudau
Phytosanitary risk associated with illegal importation of pest-infested commodities to the South African agricultural sector
South African Journal of Science
food security
fresh fruit
grains
interception
pests
quarantine
title Phytosanitary risk associated with illegal importation of pest-infested commodities to the South African agricultural sector
title_full Phytosanitary risk associated with illegal importation of pest-infested commodities to the South African agricultural sector
title_fullStr Phytosanitary risk associated with illegal importation of pest-infested commodities to the South African agricultural sector
title_full_unstemmed Phytosanitary risk associated with illegal importation of pest-infested commodities to the South African agricultural sector
title_short Phytosanitary risk associated with illegal importation of pest-infested commodities to the South African agricultural sector
title_sort phytosanitary risk associated with illegal importation of pest infested commodities to the south african agricultural sector
topic food security
fresh fruit
grains
interception
pests
quarantine
url https://sajs.co.za/article/view/8675
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