Underlining the geographical importance of Papua New Guinea as gateway for many exotic pests and diseases getting into the Pacific region is the main reason for SPC-Plant Protection Service (PPS) to donate two natural drought incinerators for use in PNG.

The incinerators were purchased under the European Union funded Plant Protection in the Pacific (PPP) and will be based at the border posts of Wutung and Buka. PPP is based at SPC Plant Protection Service.

Dr. Mick Lloyd, Head of the SPC Plant Protection Service (PPS), in handing over the incinerators to the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA) emphasised the importance of good and functional quarantine operations at our international borders to minimise the risks of introducing exotic pests and diseases. He acknowledged EU for funding the PPP project where it is making a positive contribution in providing technical capacity building and appropriately equipping national quarantine and plant protection services in the Pacific islands and territories.

Mr. Andrew Yamanea, Managing Director for NAQIA, accepted the donation thanking SPC and the EU for making a valuable contribution towards improving quarantine operations not only for PNG but to the whole Pacific region as well.

This particular model of wood fired incinerator is made of 316 stainless steel and will resist salt spray corrosion. It has a long life expectancy and a maintenance free operation. Standing 2m tall it operates in the temperature range of 300 to 600 degrees Centigrade.

The units were supplied locally by Meddent at a cost of K26,700 each.

Further assistance to NAQIA from the EU-PPP this year included a gender-balance quarantine officer training, delimiting surveys and awareness extension materials for the hunglongbing (HLB) citrus disease in Sandaun Province and weed biocontrol.

In the true spirit of regional cooperation NAQIA assisted with attachment training of quarantine officers from neighbouring Solomon Islands earlier this year.