balita; January 13, 2011 1:53 am

MANILA, Jan. 12 – The Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) said Wednesday it is spearheading the development of specimen-based pest list (SBPL) of agricultural crops for market access.

BPI director Clarito M. Barron said one of the basic needs in exporting agricultural crops is the availability of SBPL.
It is where the importing countries see the list of pests and diseases that might affect their agricultural crops and concern industries.

Barron said the list can also be the basis of assessment whether it is safe to import an agricultural commodity or not.

Through this, the plant health status of a country can be assessed.

The DA-BPI chief also reported that he tasked the BPI Crop Protection Division headed by Wilma R. Cuaterno to lead the BPI group in the development of the list with active participation of the Plant Quarantine Service and Crop Research Division.

The first batch of agricultural crops for SBPL are the exportable crops which include papaya, pummelo, durian, banana, Dragon fruit, ambulant, mango, okra, lanzones, melon, watermelon, asparagus and mangosteen. [(PNA)
LDV/JCA]

Source: DA-BPI spearheads dev't of specimen-based pest list for market access