Brazil to eradicate the Codling moth

The Brazilian Minister of Mapa (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply), Neri Geller, recently participated in the signing of a declaration to eradicate the plague Cydia pomonella, also known as Codling moth, in Vacaria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

According to the Minister, the eradication has relevance for the country. "As it is a severe plague which has reached several neighboring countries such as Uruguay, United States and Argentina, it is an important achievement for the Brazilian vegetable sanitary defense" he said.

Among the measures performed by MAPA, through the National Program for the Eradication of Cydia Pomonella, are the installation and monitoring of more than 10 thousand traps and the capture of more than 20 thousand specimens of the plague. In total, approximately 100 thousand affected plants were treated and cleaned in Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, States which represent 95% of the national production of apple.

From now on, MAPA will carry out the revision of phytosanitary requirements for importations, to the exporter countries of products considered as “hosts” of the plague and also the development of contingency plans. In addition, all other necessary measures will be taken to eradicate the plague in the country.

The plague was first detected in 1991 in the national territory and the last capture occurred in November 2011. According to the International Plant Protection Convention (CIPV), the productive areas may be declared ‘plague free’ after two years of being identified.