The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) is requesting public support in ensuring the Biosecurity Emergency Decla­ration is adhered to this year.

BAF is also urging members of the public to take all measures in preventing areas outside of the Asian Subterranean Termite (AST) infested zones from becom­ing infested with AST.

While responding to some que­ries yesterday the BAF stated it was seeking the assistance of the general public in monitoring the roads to ensure that no host and/or infested material is taken out of the AST declared zones as their own homes maybe at risk.

BAF further seeks the coopera­tion of the general public in the fight against AST.

A lot of awareness has been cre­ated around the Biosecurity Emer­gency Declaration that restricts the movement of AST host mate­rial out of the declared emergency zones.

The Government gazetted Decla­ration of Biosecurity Emergency Areas for Asian Subterranean Termites (Coptotermes gestroi) states that “any movement of all stages of the Asian Subterranean Termites (Coptotermes gestroi) including eggs within or out of the declared biosecurity emergency areas is strictly prohibited.

“Any movement of any mate­rial hosting Coptotermes gestroi within or out of the declared bios­ecurity emergency areas is strictly prohibited unless the BAF pro­vides prior authorisation for the movement.”

Host material includes Cop­totermes gestroi nests, soil, potted plants, wood, logs, timber, lumber, kindling, planks, wooden building materials, wooden furniture, live plants, harvested host plants (pine, mango, cassava, coconut tree and sugarcane), and articles made of cellulose (books, paper, clothing, and textiles).

The BAF goes on to say that “Pur­suant to sections 79(3) and 94 of the Biosecurity Act 2008, any person who contravenes any direction made pursuant to this declaration, commits an offence and is liable for the penalties prescribed under Schedule 5 to the Biosecurity Act 2008.”

Edited by Percy Kean

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