Tuesday, 26th March, 2019
PRESS RELEASE: Trogoderma granarium
The Belize Agricultural Health Authority hereby informs all stakeholders in the grain industry of an emerging threat caused by a pest of stored grains. Trogoderma granarium or the Khapra Beetle as it is commonly known is a serious polyphagous pest of cereal grains and oilseeds. Massive populations of the insect may develop and grain stocks can be almost completely destroyed. The pest is extremely resistant to the effects of contact insecticides or fumigants which make complete disinfestation extremely difficult. Countries that do not have this pest such as Belize have specific quarantine regulations against possible importation of products from countries that do have the pest; such as some Asian and African countries
Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras have notified the region that for 2019 alone, the pest has been detected in more than 30 containers of sorrel and coffee at ports of entry in these neighboring countries. The infested consignments have been refused entry into the country and returned to origin.
BAHA has held meetings with grain stakeholders in the North and Central Belize regions where grains are produced and stored to discuss a strategy to prevent the entry of this pest. All importers are advised that all agricultural products especially grains originating in countries that have Trogoderma granarium requires a Pest Risk Analysis before any import permit can be issued. Importers are also advised that any consignment of agricultural products that arrive in Belize from countries that have this pest without a BAHA permit will be refused entry and the product returned to origin.
For further information on this and other emerging threats to the Agriculture sector please contact any BAHA office countrywide.
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