PLANT BIOSECURITY AND QUARANTINE DIVISION
INTRODUCTION
Plant biosecurity encompasses a number of components such as pest risk analysis, surveillance and early detection, eradication and pest control, awareness and education, research and development, and close international cooperation. It is crucial to Sarawak as we intend to be an advanced agriculture sector by 2030.
The activities implemented in the plant biosecurity programme in the Department of Agriculture aim to prevent and manage the introduction, establishment, and spread of plant pests (insects, fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes and weeds) that may cause harm to the environment, economy, and human health. These plant pests can cause significant economic damage by reducing crop yields, lowering the quality of harvested products, and increasing production costs. In some cases, the loss of a particular crop can lead to food shortages and higher prices for consumers. For example, the citrus greening disease, which is caused by a bacterium and spread by insects, has devastated our citrus industries in Samarahan.
Plant pests also may impact our ecology by disrupting ecosystems, reducing biodiversity, and threatening endangered species. Invasive plant species can outcompete and displace native species, leading to changes in the structure and function of ecosystems. Some plant pests can pose risks to human health, such as those that cause allergies. For example, Parthenium hysterophorus weeds that produce pollen and tiny hairs that cause allergic reactions in humans.
Whilst Plant Biosecurity Programme prevent and minimise crop damage, the Plant Quarantine Programme enforce regulatory measures and procedures to prevent the introduction and spread of plant pests through the international trade of plants and plant products. It involves the inspection, testing, certification of plant materials, and accreditation of export and import facilities, to ensure that they are free from pests that could harm the receiving country's agriculture, natural ecosystems, and human health.
Plant Biosecurity and Quarantine programme in the Department of Agriculture is governed by two primary legislations, harmonised and complemented by several other regulations and standards.
Plant biosecurity encompasses a number of components such as pest risk analysis, surveillance and early detection, eradication and pest control, awareness and education, research and development, and close international cooperation. It is crucial to Sarawak as we intend to be an advanced agriculture sector by 2030.
The activities implemented in the plant biosecurity programme in the Department of Agriculture aim to prevent and manage the introduction, establishment, and spread of plant pests (insects, fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes and weeds) that may cause harm to the environment, economy, and human health. These plant pests can cause significant economic damage by reducing crop yields, lowering the quality of harvested products, and increasing production costs. In some cases, the loss of a particular crop can lead to food shortages and higher prices for consumers. For example, the citrus greening disease, which is caused by a bacterium and spread by insects, has devastated our citrus industries in Samarahan.
Plant pests also may impact our ecology by disrupting ecosystems, reducing biodiversity, and threatening endangered species. Invasive plant species can outcompete and displace native species, leading to changes in the structure and function of ecosystems. Some plant pests can pose risks to human health, such as those that cause allergies. For example, Parthenium hysterophorus weeds that produce pollen and tiny hairs that cause allergic reactions in humans.
Whilst Plant Biosecurity Programme prevent and minimise crop damage, the Plant Quarantine Programme enforce regulatory measures and procedures to prevent the introduction and spread of plant pests through the international trade of plants and plant products. It involves the inspection, testing, certification of plant materials, and accreditation of export and import facilities, to ensure that they are free from pests that could harm the receiving country's agriculture, natural ecosystems, and human health.
Plant Biosecurity and Quarantine programme in the Department of Agriculture is governed by two primary legislations, harmonised and complemented by several other regulations and standards.
- Plant Quarantine Act 1976
- Plant Quarantine Regulations 1981
- International Standards of Phytosanitary Measures
- Customs Order (Prohibition of Export and Import)
- CITES
The principal objective of these is to prevent the entry and spread of foreign pests and noxious plants into the country, particularly pests of quarantine importance which can pose a threat to the national agricultural security. This function is very important to ensure that the agricultural and forestry sector is conserved, expanded and remains competitive. This involves the import control of plants and plant products, soil, planting medium, beneficial organisms, organic fertilisers and microorganisms.
Besides the prime objective of preventing the introduction of invasive and quarantine pests into Sarawak, Plant Biosecurity and Quarantine programme also facilitates the export of plant materials and agricultural produce, ensuring that these commodities complied with the quarantine conditions or phytosanitary requirements of the importing countries. This is done through the inspection and treatment of consignment prior to export and with the issue of the Phytosanitary Certificate.
Besides the prime objective of preventing the introduction of invasive and quarantine pests into Sarawak, Plant Biosecurity and Quarantine programme also facilitates the export of plant materials and agricultural produce, ensuring that these commodities complied with the quarantine conditions or phytosanitary requirements of the importing countries. This is done through the inspection and treatment of consignment prior to export and with the issue of the Phytosanitary Certificate.
