Coffee Industry News

Seed Moratorium In Light of Coffee Berry Borer presence

The Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) has placed a temporary moratorium on the distribution of coffee seeds in the PNG/Indonesian Boarder areas in a move to detect the presence of the Coffee Berry Borer [Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Col., Scolytide)].

Acting General Manager for Aiyura based CIC’s Research and Grower Services Division (RGSD) Dr. Mark Kenny issued the temporary ban in an inter-office memo dated 25th April 2010.

He stated that the moratorium is effective until a delimiting survey currently carried out by CIC and the National Agriculture Quarantine Inspection Agency (NAQIA) in the Telefomin District is completed to establish if the Coffee Berry Borer is present at the PNG side of the Boarder.
Dr. Kenny stressed that a review of the moratorium will be made depending on the outcome of the survey report.

The memo was sent to CIC’s Acting General Manager, Industry Operations Division, CIC Officers in East Sepik, Western Highlands, Enga, and the coffee seed store man in Aiyura.
It is also understood from technical persons in CIC and NAQIA, who are carrying out the survey that coffee from the Telefomin and Vanimo Green District has been restricted from entering Mt. Hagen. Wewak or Vanimo until a major coffee rehabilitation work is carried out in these Districts.

This is due to the neglect of coffee gardens in the border areas for the past 15 years as a result of the high cost of freighting the coffee to the nearest market.

The coffee Berry Borer is an insect that feeds on the coffee berry and is considered as seriously dangerous to the coffee industry compared to other coffee pests which feeds of the coffee tree and leaves.

According to CIC’s website, (http://www.coffeecorp.org.pg/plantprot.html) the Coffee Berry Borer is the “most serious pest of coffee affecting production in most countries. It is not present in PNG. The Government is supporting an initiative from the CIC to prevent it from entering the country. Preventative action programs include awareness and literacy, monitoring and surveillance, emergency response planning and forging partnerships with international research institutions” are ongoing.

 

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Updated: July 13, 2011