Thrips palmi eradicated from The Netherlands
The EPPO Secretariat has recently been informed by the Dutch Plant Protection Service that Thrips palmi (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) has again been successfully eradicated from the Netherlands. It may be recalled that in 1994, T. palmi was found in two firms on Ficus benjamina, resulting from imports of infested plants from Guatemala (EPPO RS 94/107). Guatemala then declared that T. palmi does not occur (EPPO RS 94/015) on its territory.
In 1994, the Dutch Plant Protection Service has found in total 21 premises infested by T. palmi, exclusively on Ficus benjamina plants. At two firms, infestations were found as a result of direct imports from Guatemala. At three firms that supply plant material to other growers, infestations were also found, though the origin of these remain unclear (two of them receive material from importers who obtain plants from Guatemala and Florida (US) and the third exclusively from Belgium). During routine checks of all suppliers and customers of these firms, the Dutch Plant Protection Service has found 16 customers infested. Some customers and suppliers were based in other countries, whose Plant Protection Services had been informed of the addresses of these firms. No infestation was reported from these countries as a result from the Dutch notification.
The eradication programme was set up as soon as the first foci were found. All Plant Protection Officers were informed and asked to pay attention to possible infestations of T. palmi in all crops, for national and import inspections. On all 21 infested firms, chemical treatments with imidacloprid in combination with other plant protection products have been applied. In addition, surveys were carried out in all customers and suppliers of the firms found infested and in all Dutch firms where Ficus plants are grown. In total 251 firms have been inspected. During this survey, no further infestation was found.
In order to prevent any reinfestation, the Netherlands are taking official measures concerning imports from Guatemala. Discussions within the EU Standing Committee on Plant Health have resulted in stricter measures for imports into the EU with regard to T. palmi. These measures will come into force on the 1st April 1995, and will supersede the Dutch measures.
Sources
Dutch Plant Protection Service, (1995-02).