International news in brief – March/April 2015

• Europe: IPM Strategic Research Agenda is underway

The ERA-Net C-IPM is organizing a strategic research agenda (SRA) workshop that will be held on 18th March 2015 at AgroParistech 16 rue Claude Bernard, Paris.

The workshop is part of the collaborative consultation process to develop the medium to long term SRA of IPM in Europe. A first version of the SRA has been drafted and made available for open online consultation. The process is designed to develop a medium to long-term Integrated Pest Management Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) in Europe.

Following an initial priority setting exercise, a first version of the SRA has been drafted and an invitation issued to all relevant stakeholders asking them to provide their comments and visions as well as ranking existing priorities or suggesting new priorities.

The workshop will bring together the European group of IPM research funders, research managers and stakeholders, who will meet to further discuss the SRA and the outcomes of the public consultation. The priority challenges for strategic research resulting from this workshop will then be used to prepare transnational calls and set up the final SRA on IPM for Europe, to be published in late December 2015.
Source: http://cipm.org/news/nyhed/artikel/call-forstakeholder-comments/

• FMC:  Corporation acquires global rights to new herbicide

On 2 Feb 2015, FMC Corporationannounced that it has acquiredall global rights to a novel, proprietary herbicide from Kumiai ChemicalIndustry Co Ltd, and Ihara ChemicalIndustry Co Ltd. The new herbicide ishighly effective in controlling broadleafweeds and will be initially developed foruse in corn, cereals, soybeans and sugarcane in key countries around the world.
Source: FMC Corporation, 2015.

• US: USDA to spend $30 million fighting citrus disease

The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to spend $30 million fighting citrus greening, the disease that has decimated Florida’s most famous fruit crops. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Monday that the funding will be split between long-term research and shorter-term measures. Vilsak says $23 million will fund research on lasting solutions at four universities. Those schools are the University of Florida; the University of California, Davis; the University of California, Riverside; and Kansas State University. Another $7 million will fund specific projects. One project lowers pH levels in irrigation water and soil to strengthen root systems in citrus trees. Another project tests rootstock that has been shown to tolerate the disease. The disease has caused Florida orange production to drop by more than half in the past decade.

• Australia: Microwaving snails could be key to pest control

Microwave technology may become the latest weapon in the fight against snail infestations, which cause about $6 million in damage to WA crops each year. Researchers at the Australian Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) have discovered seven seconds of low-dose microwave radiation will completely eradicate small snail populations. Lab testing was done with a standard kitchen microwave fitted with antennae that directed microwave radiation at snail-infested soil.

DAFWA researcher John Moore with the modified microwave. (Photo supplied by DAFWA)

Senior researcher John Moore said while microwaving was not a cost- or speed-effective way to wipe out large populations of the pest, it could prove vital in wiping out resistant patches of the mollusc. The research showed microwaving had the capacity to eradicate a variety of agricultural pests in any season, because it worked from the inside out and did not rely on seasonal accessibility. This was especially helpul in controlling snails, which do not eat while hibernating.

Microwave technology could also kill hardy flora. Mr Moore said the technology could also be applied to difficult-to-control flora.“Microwaving is one of the few techniques that we’ve got which will actually kill seeds under the soil,” he said. However, at the current cost of more than $100 per hectare, it is not likely to be widely adopted on a broad acre basis until the research is done to reduce the cost. “The problem with microwaves is they’re quite expensive to use over large areas, so if you’ve got small areas it’s potentially got some usefulness if you’re trying to break dormancy or if you’ve got a particular sensitive area,” Mr Moore said. However, at the current cost of more than $100 per hectare, it is not likely to be widely adopted on a broad acre basis until the research is done to reduce the cost.
Source: http://ab.co/1CJu9bo

• Singapore: Sumitomo Chemical launch the new water-based insecticide SumiPro.

Having achieved registration in Singapore Syngenta plans to expand supply in Southeast Asia to help control dengue and other diseases. The main active ingredient of SumiPro is the pyrethroid insecticide Gokilahts. SumiPro, because of a synergist being contained therein, is also highly effective against mosquitoes that have become resistant to insecticides. It is the first product of its kind among public hygiene insecticides to contain the active ingredient SumiOne. SumiPro remains highly effective when used even in hot and dry localities.
Source: www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp.

• UK: New law will allow pest control services to work without permission

British homeowners who fail to control invasive plants in their gardens will have no choice if council officials decide to enter their property and weed out of the offenders, according to a new law. Environmental pest control services can access private land without permission to eradicate plants or animals that pose a “significant threat” to the surrounding environment. Anyone barring them from doing so could face prosecution under powers granted in the Infrastructure Act.

The Environment Agency, Natural England or Forestry Commissioners will be able to issue “special control orders” (SCOs) to force land owners to remove invasive species, or enter the land if such a move is deemed “proportionate”. Land owners will be able to appeal to a tribunal and ask for compensation for damages.

Although SCOs are aimed primarily at newly arrived invasive species, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), they could be used to combat long-established invasive plants such as Japanese Knotweed, although community protection notices already enable this.
Officials would be reliant on neighbours to inform them of potential offenders as well as an alert system involving Natural England and other agencies on the lookout. Defra claim that invasive non-native species pose a serious threat to the environment and the economy. Their economic impact in the UK alone has been estimated to be at least £1.8 billion a year.
Source: http://ind.pn/1zLGKUV

• Vietnam: Pesticide abuse raises food safety concerns

Widespread abuse of pesticides was undermining food safety in the country, participants said at a recent conference on plant protection held in Hanoi. There are 139 pesticide manufacturers and 230 trading companies specialising in pesticides and a network of more than 32,000 retailers and 37 plant quarantine organisations across Vietnam. They said that the agriculture sector should prioritise curbing this abuse, which has also polluted the environment and reduced costefficiency of agricultural production in the country. Conference speakers also stressed the need to tighten food market regulations, provide incentives to apply scientific and technological advancements in agricultural production, and encourage farmers to follow food safety protocols.A recent inspection carried out by the Plant Protection Department found 1,704 pesticide retailers (13.8 per cent of the total number inspected) committing various violations including operating without a business licence, unsatisfactory storage facilities, and selling counterfeit as well as expired products. Agriculture exports last year totalled US$31 billion. Of the ten products that exceeded the $1 billion export mark, seven were agricultural crops.
Source:

• Netherlands: Koppert presents its new mission at Fruit Logistica

Koppert is playing an important role in boosting the sustainability of cultivation by means of its holistic approach – combining knowledge, advice, and solutions. To be able to realize sustainable health for humans and crops alike, it is necessary to think in terms of systems. The foundation for sustainable health lies in protecting and ensuring vital and resilient ecosystems as a basis for healthy crops and this redefined mission, “Partners with Nature” was recently presented at Fruit Logistica in Berlin.

The company increasingly sees the results of the total approach it offers in the market. Their customers tend to ‘cultivate with nature’ more often and achieve a better match with the market. “We must reduce the use of chemical crop protection agents, reduce the use of fertilizers, and achieve higher yields of better quality products to be able to continue to feed the world. We intend to make a contribution in this matter, in the broad sense, together with our customers and other parties in the chain,” according to Peter Maes, Marketing Director.

With the construction and choice of materials, sustainability played a significant role even in the Fruit Logistica stand design. Bamboo and ecoplex, an environmentally friendly produced plywood based on graded veneers from European ecological culture forests, will be used for the stand construction. Sugarcane laminate on the floor, LED lighting and recycled materials are also part of the stand strategy.

• Malaysia: Cops cripple gang who robbed as they fogged

Malaysian police have crippled a robbery gang masquerading as Health Department staff carrying out fogging activities at foreign workers’ quarters in the state after arresting five men in Kamunting, Perak. Penang CID chief Datuk Mazlan Kesah said one of the men was arrested at a house in Kamunting, after which four of his friends were also caught in the same area.“They masqueraded as Health Department and pest control company staff, requesting victims to evacuate their premises for spraying purposes, but at the same time took the opportunity to steal valuable items such as electronic equipment and cash.”
Based on investigations, the group was believed to be involved in 51 cases, 19 in Penang involving losses of more than RM100,000, and the rest were in Kedah, Perak and Negri Sembilan. Police also seized one mosquito repellent spray pump, chemicals, a mobile phone and a four-wheel-drive vehicle, which was used by the gang to carry out the robberies.
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• Tajikistan: FAO launches new agricultural project

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a new project worth US $400,000 aimed at supporting promotion and implementation of integrated pest management strategies for important field and fruit crops in Tajikistan, the FAO office in Tajikistan said. The two year project will be implemented in close partnership with the Agriculture Ministry of Tajikistan.

“This project focuses on testing, validating and adapting integrated pest management technologies to local conditions in specific regions where field and fruit crops of major economic importance are prevalent, and promoting them to farmers through training programs for private and public extension services, agriculture specialists and farmers,” said Viorel Gutu, the FAO representative in Tajikistan.

The project will include a solid capacity building component on training the facilitators, setting up pilot sites for selected crops and cropping systems. The project team will train the master trainers and farmers and develop the training and extension materials.The project will build partnerships among farming communities, NGOs, government agencies, research institutes, Agrarian University and relevant projects implemented by donors and development partners. The direct beneficiaries of the assistance will be the farmers and their families, researchers and extension specialists; the indirect beneficiaries will be the rural population at large,specialists of the Ministry of Agriculture,and NGOs involved in agricultural and ruraldevelopment.

• Australia: Hospital staff call for reinforcements as feral pigs cause havoc

Hospital staff had to call for reinforcements to deal with feral pigs spotted roaming the grounds and damaging parked vehicles. Council pest control officers tasked with their removal followed a wild boar into bushland surrounding the hospital. It was shot on sight. Mackay Hospital and Health Service rural services executive director Terry Johnson confirmed Sarina Hospital had contacted Mackay Regional Council to report a feral pig creating a nuisance in the hospital grounds.

Two vehicles had been damaged by the pillaging porkers. The council’s health and regulatory manager, Craig Shepherd, said they had received reports two feral pigs had been scratching the sides of parked vehicles. “Two of our pest management officers visited the area to undertake a site and risk assessment on the most efficient and practical way to remove them,” he said. They notified police that they would shoot the pigs. Mr Shepherd said officers had gone to the hospital on Wednesday and shot one of the pigs. “We will continue to follow up with the hospital to determine if the other pig continuesto cause a nuisance,” he said. “Council’spest management officers are licensedto carry a firearm and these are used aspart of standard operations for controllingwild pigs and dogs where appropriate.”Wild pigs are a declared Class 2 speciesunder the Land Protection (Pest and StockRoute Management) Act 2002. They have an environmental, economic and socialimpact within the community.
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• US: Updated Weed Control Guide Now Available

The Extension services of Ohio State University, Purdue University and the University of Illinois have partnered to publish an updated weed control guide to aid crop farmers in choosing an effective weed management plan. The free 2015 Weed Control Guide is a quick reference farmers can use in the field to identify and manage weeds. It offers specific tips for several individual crops such as corn, soybeans, popcorn, sweet corn, small greens, forages and grazing pastures.

The new guide includes expanded sections on Palmer amaranth and marestail as well as an updated index of herbicides. There is also a weed response table which will be especially helpful to farmers during preparation for planting season.The guide can be downloaded from Purdue Extension’s The Education Store at https://www.edustore.purdue.edu/ item.asp?item_number=WS-16-W#. VOUDhPmsVAE. To find the guide, search for its product code, WS-16-W.

Printed copies of the guide are available through the Ohio State University Extension eStore for $14.75 each. The product code for the print copy is 789. An interactive PDF e-book with links for easy navigation is also available through the Ohio State eStore for $9.99. The product code for the ebook is e789.

• Syngenta: Swiss firm to cut and relocate 1800 jobs worldwide to save $1bn by 2018.

As part of an accelerating operational leverage programme announced in Feb 2014, Switzerland-based agrochemicals producer Syngenta will reduce and relocate 1800 jobs globally. The firm’s costcutting scheme aims to save $1 bn by 2018. The company will immediately start reducing and relocating 500 jobs in Basel, Switzerland. Syngenta targets $265M in savings in 2015 by simplifying marketing structure, consolidating R&D plants, relocating operations to less costly locations and outsourcing activities.
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• Bayer: Concentration on life sciences and expansion of crop protection

Bayer has decided to focus entirely on the life science businesses, Bayer HealthCare and Bayer CropScience, and float Bayer MaterialScience on the stock market as a separate company by mid-2016. In recent years, Bayer’s centre of gravity has greatly shifted toward its life science activities with the successful launch of novel pharmaceutical products, the acquisition of the over-the counter products business of Merck & Co Inc, US, and the very successful development of the CropScience business. About 70% of Bayer’s sales presently are generated by the life science businesses. Bayer CropScience plans to invest nearly $1 bn in the US through 2016, primarily to expand its research and development and the production of its principal crop protection brands. The objective is to grow faster than the US market. The company is also establishing new locations and expanding existing sites in the country.
Source: Bayer Research, http://www.bayer.co.uk

• US: The 2015 BPIA Registration Workshop

After the success of the 2014 BPIA Registration Workshop, The BPIA (Biopesticide Industry Alliance), in association with TSGE Forum, will be holding another BPIA Registration Workshop. The 1½ day workshop and training event will attract companies wishing to register or gain a further understanding of the requirements involved in registering a biological pesticide in the United States. To be held on September 15 – 16, 2015 (prior to the BPIA Fall Semi-Annual Meeting) this event will take place at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel, Arlington, VA.

Through a series of informative presentations and a workshop, in cooperation with the US EPA, this event will address key regulatory challenges and encourage best practice for the registration of biopesticides. The event will also provide a platform for participants to discuss the issues related to rationale in lieu of studies and the results of pilot studies or a new e-portal for submissions.

Presenters will include seasoned regulatory professionals and Environmental Protection Agency, Biopesticide division staff. Further information on the program and speakers will be available shortly. You can register now by visiting our website or contact us for general enquiries or sponsorship opportunities on enquiries@tsgeforum.com.

• Mexico: Common weed revealed to diminish water pollution

The plant Typha domingensis, known commonly as southern cattail or cumbungi, can be used in reducing bacterial contamination of water for agricultural use, according to research by Francisco Delgado Vargas, from the Autonomous University of Sinaloa (UAS). This plant helps to reduce, up to 98 percent, pollution by enterobacteria (usually found in the intestines of mammals) involved in the development of disease. The plant is present in places where water flows and withstands high pollution concentrations. “The roots of Typha domingensis are always flooded, absorbing nutrients from the soil and releasing compounds that help reduce the impact of pathogens,” says the researcher.
The study, conducted in collaboration with the Helmholtz center in Germany, specializing in environmental research, and with support from the National Counsil of Science and Technology (CONACYT) in Mexico, has two approaches: to demonstrate that an agricultural drain is able to reduce the impact of biological and chemical contamination that can cause diseases to the population and even death, and evidence which substances are thrown and polluting these channels.
Source: http://bit.ly/1Mq0OZH

• USA: Bright idea could save lives in developing countries

Many insect species are attracted to light, which means that the type of bulb used can increase the risk of catching vector-borne diseases. Six million people worldwide, mostly in Latin America, are infected with Chagas disease, which is transmitted by a bug that is attracted to lights. Sand flies, also attracted to light, infect people with a protozoan parasite responsible for 20,000 deaths annually. Mosquitoes, which carry malaria, are documented to be attracted to light. A new study by the University of Southern California researchers found that what matters most is not just how bright the bulb is, but what colour wavelengths it gives off.

Future LED bulb designs could be customised to be less attractive to specific insect species. The white light given off by bulbs is attractive to all insects, but ‘white’ is not actually a colour – it’s a combination of light of all colours. Working with Philips Research in the Netherlands, the researcher’s primary goal is to reduce the number of insects an LED bulb can attract while still maintaining white light for indoor use.
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Published in International Pest Control – March/April 2015 issue

Tags: citrus disease, Food Safety, IPM, microwaving, weed control

Category: International Pest News, news in brief