Proceedings of the First Regional Workshop on Plant Quarantine June 17-21, 1996 The University of Guam Mangilao, Guam 1999 Editors: Sponsors: R. Muniappan Taiwan Food and Fertilizer Technology L. Austin Center (TFFTC) O.H. Diambra South Pacific Commission Northern Marianas College College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Guam Proceedings of the First Regional Workshop on Plant Quarantine June 17-21, 1996 The University of Guam Mangilao, Guam Edited by: R. Muniappan L. Austin O.H. Diambra 1999 Taiwan Food and Fertilizer Technology Center (TFFTC) South Pacific Commission Northern Marianas College College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Guam Published with financial support of the University of Guam Endowment Foundation. Preface It is known that more than 90 percent of the major pests in the Pacific are from exotic introductions. The development of transpacific air and sea traffic since World War II has increased movement of pest insects and diseases. In recent years, the introduction of new pests averages about 3.5 per year in Hawaii and 2.00 per year in Guam. As Micronesia strives to improve its economy by increasing its agricultural productiv­ ity, it is imperative that quarantine programs be strengthened. Under the initiatives of Dr. Kiritani and Dr. Sato, the Food and Fertilizer Technology Center (FFTC) of the Republic of Taiwan funded this First Regional Quarantine Training Workshop in Micronesia. Repre­ sentatives from all Micronesian islands and the Philippines and resource personnel from Taiwan, Japan, the South Pacific Commission, the Northern Marianas College and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences of the University of Guam actively participated in this workshop. This volume presents all country reports and provides technical information pre­ sented at the First Regional Workshop on Plant Quarantine held at the University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam. One major recommendation is to promote harmonization of quarantine regulation throughout the region. We thank Dr. Jeff Barcinas, Dean/Director of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the University of Guam for allowing this workshop to take place. Special thanks to Dr. Saito for obtaining microscopes from the Japanese Government for distribu­ tion to country representatives, and also to Continental Air Micronesia for graciously transporting the equipment from Japan to Guam. We also thank the University of Guam Endowment Foundation for providing support for publication. R. Muniappan L.Austin O.H. Diambra 1 Contents Plant quarantine regulations of the Commonwealth of the 4 Northern Mariana Islands by Anthony Mufia and Jesse R. Manalo Plant quarantine regulations in Chuuk 6 by Akissy Edward and Peter Haritos Plant quarantine regulations in Kosrae 7 by Palikkun Tolenna and Valton Palsis Plant quarantine regulations in Pohnpei 9 by Solomon Brens and Alex Kim Plant quarantine regulations in Palau 10 by Jeff Tewid Summary of the quarantine regulations in the 11 Federated States of Micronesia by Denis Kelly Plant quarantine regulations in the Marshall Islands 18 by Banner Bwijtak and Stanley Hosia Plant quarantine regulations in the Philippines 19 by Luben Marasigan Plant quarantine regulations in Japan 20 by Toshiyuki Kato Plant quarantine regulations in Guam 26 by Russell Campbell, Marvin P. Chargualaf and Jason T. Paulino Weeds 28 by. C.T. Lee Insect and mite damage 31 by Don Nafus 2 Invertebrates of quarantine importance 35 by lise Schreiner Indexing of plant virus diseases: Serological diagnosis 40 by Norihiko Saito Quarantine surveillance for fruit flies 44 by Allan Allwood, presented by Russell Campbell Virus-free nursery system, indexing and micrografting · 48 byHongJiSu An introduction to plant diseases 57 by George Wall, Robert Schlub and Diane Greenough Recognition, quarantine surveillance and 63 emergency response planning by Allan Allwood, presented by Russell Campbell Review and recommendations 67 Participants 69 3 Plant quarantine regulations of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands by Anthony Muna and Jesse R. Manalo Introduction Plant Protection in the CNMI The Commonwealth of the Northern The plant protection function in the Mariana Islands (CNMI) came into exist­ Commonwealth is under the Department of ence on January 9,1978, when the first Lands and Natural Resources headed by elected governor was inaugurated and the Secretary Benigno M. Sablan. Plant Protec­ members of the First Commonwealth tion section comprises the Agriculture Legislature were sworn in. Quarantine, Division of Agriculture and the The population of the Commonwealth assistance of Dr. Moore, associate director froin 1980 to 1995, according to the census of Land Grant. conducted by the CNMI Department of The Agriculture Quarantine office is Commerce, is over 50,000. located in the Saipan International Airport The Commonwealth is comprised of 14 with a branch office at the Saipan Commer­ islands, only four (4) of which are continu­ cial Port. Quarantine officers conduct ously populated. The total land mass is inspections of all incoming and outgoing approximately 184 square miles, with the animals under the Supervision of Asst. northern most island of Saipan (47 sq. mi.), Director, Mr. Mark I. Palacios. The assis­ Tinian (39 sq. mi.), and Rota (32 sq. mi.) tance of Dr. Moore is to identify plant pests. covering over 64 percent of the total land area and have over 99 percent of the Agriculture Quarantine population. The population center and the Quarantine activities slightly increase seat of the Commonwealth government is during typhoon season or when bad on Saipan where 90 percent of the Com­ weather occurs. The number of aircraft and monwealth population resides. ships and volume of cargoes coming into The Commonwealth is located in the Saipan increases. Major development western Pacific Ocean, Mariana Islands ongoing at the airport and seaport is Archipelago, lying between 14' and 21' presently being undertaken by the Com­ North Latitude and 1400 and 1460 East monwealth Ports Authority. This will Longitude. The 14 islands form a chain in a increase the capacity of the airport and north-south axis, stretching over 380 miles seaport operation and, therefore, will from the northern most island, Farallon de increase the amount of work for the Quar­ Pajaros, to the southern most island, Rota. antine Section. Agricultural materials Guam, a separate U.S. territory, is geo­ continue to come through the U.S. Post graphically part of the Mariana Islands and Offices in Chalan Kanoa and Capitol Hill is located about 120 miles south of Saipan. and, therefore, they continue to assign an The CNMI is located in relatively close inspector to each of the facilities. We are proximity to nearly all Asian countries anticipating an increase in passenger ships including Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Philip­ from Guam and Japan making port calls to pines, China and Hong Kong, Indonesia, Saipan and, therefore, continue to send Burma, Thailand, and Laos. inspectors to these areas to board and While considered a remote location provide pre-clearance for these ships. The geographically, with daily direct flights USDA/PHIS/PPQ and U.S. Fish and from the Orient, as well as daily sea flights Wildlife conduct quarantine manual arriving from many Asian ports, the ·training program to update and upgrade Northern Mariana Islands are strategically our inspectors in the use of USDA and U.S. located at a crossroads providing easy Fish and Wildlife quarantine manuals. access to the Orient and the U.S. Mainland. 4 1995 Statistic Report for Airport and Seaport Oan. • Dec. 1995) Vessels about 461 Inspected incoming ocean freight cargo about 270,161,346lbs. (135,081 tons) Confiscated contraband material about 3522 lbs. · Tourism The Commonwealth continues to experience rapid changes in its socioeco­ nomic status with the economic growth rate in tourism. The impetus for this rapid rate of development seems to be the CNMI' s emergence as a mecca for Japanese and Korean tourists, as well as that of a regional leader in the manufacture of textile prod­ ucts. The Plan Protection Quarantine Section ·is very important to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island due to the tourism industry that continues to be the leading economic activity in the CNMI. 5 Plant quarantine regulations in Chuuk by Akissy Edward and Peter Haritos Chuuk is one of the states of the inspectors carry out quarantine function on Federated States of Micronesia. The islands a daily basis on an average of 64 flights in a of Chuuk State are in the central Caroline month and 10-15 vessels at the seaport. Islands of the West Pacific, about 3,700 Introduction of any pest into the state kilometers southeast of Tokyo, Japan, and could be easily accomplished without 5,450 kilometer southwest of Honolulu, proper inspection. Chuuk State has no Hawaii. The islands are surrounded by a proper facilities for disposal of contraband barrier reef about 63 kilometers across. nor a fumigation chamber for exported There are 19 high volcanic islands within commodities. The staff requires proper the Chuuk Lagoon, and a total of 24 training in the field of quarantine and inhabited outer islands. knowledge of pest distribution. With this Chuuk is the most populated state training we hope that we could learn a lot among the states of FSM, comprising about and benefit from it. 53,000 people. Agriculture is one of the main primary sectors in the economy. Problems About 80 percent of the state's total popu­ While carrying out law enforcement lation is involved in subsistence agricul­ duties several problems were encountered. ture. Taro and breadfruit are considered the Transportation to airport and seaport is most important staple crops. Sweet potato considered a major problem. The depart­ and cassava are considered important ment has no vehicle assigned to the quaran­ starch foods. Vegetables production has tine section. Cooperation among clearance increased in some of the lagoon islands as parties is lacking, as well as a lack of farmers have started to realize the eco­ knowledge of the risk of introduction of nomic importance of agriculture.