المملكة: Palm weevil and locusts… “Plant Protection” is looking for solutions to combat pests

The head of the plant health sector at the Weqa Center, Dr. Muhammad Al-Khereiji, one of the most important goals of the Near East Plant Protection Organization is to promote plant health in the region, cooperate to set the necessary standards to limit the spread of pests, the most important of which are transboundary, and exchange information, experiences and expertise between the countries of the region.
He stressed that the recommendations will come out by setting the necessary standards in the members’ region, strengthening their position in international organizations, and advancing the control of plant pests with the participation of 12 countries.
This came during the meetings of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of the Near East Plant Protection Organization (NEPPO), which are organized by the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases (Weqaa), and last for 5 days in Jeddah Governorate, to enhance regional cooperation to reduce the damage of plant pests, including It contributes to achieving sustainable food security.

Stone pest control

Al-Khuraiji stated that the most important pests that the organization is keen to combat are quarantine and cross-border pests, and every country has unregistered pests and is trying to register them and limit their outbreak, the most prominent of which are the red palm weevil, desert locusts, fruit flies, and others.
He explained that the Kingdom joined the organization in 2023 as part of its efforts to provide a lot of information on plant pests and diseases, and to provide a very important means of communication with the Kingdom’s regional and global environment.
He pointed out that among the most important unregistered diseases in the Kingdom are Xylella bacteria, which infect olive trees, and egg disease, which infects palm trees. In cooperation with these countries, we prevent the pests from reaching the Kingdom.

Weqaya organization

Al-Khuraiji continued that pests are living organisms that are difficult to eliminate, but they can be reduced by preventing their entry in light of cooperation and exchange of information between countries. If they enter, they are dealt with through available solutions such as control, traps, tracking, and the use of attractants. Each pest has different methods and is carried out. Study it separately.

He added that the organization has developed strategies and a ten-year plan starting from next year 2025 until 2035, and has an integrated program, as well as developing a program for training and workshops to exchange experiences.