Gaborone, Botswana* – Botswana has announced an immediate suspension of imports of crops and other vegetative products from South Africa after the detection of Drosophila suzukii, commonly known as the spotted wing drosophila, in its southern neighbour.
Velleminah Pelokgale, a plant health officer with Botswana’s Ministry of Agriculture, confirmed that the pest was discovered on blueberry production farms in the eastern and western regions of South Africa. She highlighted that Drosophila suzukii is a fruit fly of significant quarantine economic importance.
In response to this development, Botswana is implementing stringent phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction and spread of the pest within its borders. “Phytosanitary measures are being put in place to prevent the introduction and spread of the pest in Botswana,” Pelokgale stated.
Drosophila suzukii poses a substantial threat to a variety of crops, including strawberries, raspberries, persimmons, figs, cherries, plums, peaches, blackberries, and blueberries. Additionally, the pest affects currants, grapes, and wild hosts such as cherry silverberry, dogwood, and mulberry.
The suspension of imports is expected to impact trade relations between the two countries, with South African farmers facing potential losses due to the halted exports. However, Botswana’s priority remains safeguarding its agricultural sector from this invasive pest.
The Ministry of Agriculture urges all stakeholders to comply with the new regulations and cooperate fully with the implemented measures to ensure the pest is contained and prevented from spreading.
Further updates will be provided as the situation develops and as additional information becomes available regarding the efficacy of the measures taken.
