The FAO reviews the phytosanitary trade standards

FAO estimates that between 20 and 40 percent of global crop yields are reduced each year due to the damage wrought by plant pests and diseases.

“Once a pest becomes established, it is almost impossible to eradicate and is expensive to manage,” said IPPC Coordinator, Craig Fedchock.

Critical to this is the material used to transport plants and other agricultural products to ensure that it does not provide a place for pests to fester.

“Had more been known about the risks associated with solid wood packaging material 35 years ago, millions of dollars could have been saved through a simple inexpensive heat treatment of wooden pallets before their use in international trade,” Fedchock said. (MTI)