Plant quarantine is important to prevent the introduction and spread of alien pests and diseases that could damage crops. Strict import regulations and inspections at quarantine centers established at ports and airports aim to ensure only pest-free agricultural goods enter countries. The introduction of alien pests without natural predators could allow rapid and widespread damage to agricultural production if not contained by plant quarantine measures.
Plant quarantine is important to prevent the introduction and spread of alien pests and diseases that could damage crops. Strict import regulations and inspections at quarantine centers established at ports and airports aim to ensure only pest-free agricultural goods enter countries. The introduction of alien pests without natural predators could allow rapid and widespread damage to agricultural production if not contained by plant quarantine measures.
Plant quarantine is important to prevent the introduction and spread of alien pests and diseases that could damage crops. Strict import regulations and inspections at quarantine centers established at ports and airports aim to ensure only pest-free agricultural goods enter countries. The introduction of alien pests without natural predators could allow rapid and widespread damage to agricultural production if not contained by plant quarantine measures.
Plant quarantine is important to prevent the introduction and spread of alien pests and diseases that could damage crops. Strict import regulations and inspections at quarantine centers established at ports and airports aim to ensure only pest-free agricultural goods enter countries. The introduction of alien pests without natural predators could allow rapid and widespread damage to agricultural production if not contained by plant quarantine measures.
Objective: Students should be able to explain the importance of plant quarantine.
The Importance of Plant Quarantine
Alien pests and alien diseases are pests and diseases that do not occur naturally in a country. Their introduction into a country can cause widespread damage. With an increase in world trade, much agricultural produce is now exported and imported. In most countries, strict regulations ensure that only the highest- quality pest-free produce is exported and that all imported goods are inspected.
The introduction of alien pest species, such as weeds and insects, can cause havoc to agricultural production in island territories such as the Caribbean. There may be no natural predators for the pests, so they could spread rapidly and damage crops. Imported plant material can carry viruses and it would be dangerous if such material was to be used for plant breeding. To avoid these problems, plant quarantine centres have been established by the Ministry of Agriculture at airports and ports and employ qualified personnel to inspect agricultural products. Each territory in the Caribbean has its own regulations and operates its own quarantine centres.
