Problem overview:

     Policies and measures: The international market is very competitive and has many restrictions. In order to compete in such market, the Pacific Island countries have strengthened their policies and measures in order to meet international standards, thus, resulting in market competitiveness. This is a case of how agricultural pest and disease control has been carried out.

Background:

     Success of the agricultural export industry in PICs: Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu are free of many major pests and diseases which has given access to some markets from which competitors are excluded or restricted (e.g. Australian mango and papaya to Japan).

     These PICs are free of the more economically devastating fruit fly species: such as Mediterranean fruit fly, oriental fruit fly, melon fly, papaya fruit fly, and the Queensland fruit fly. The relative absence of major pests and diseases extends beyond fruit flies. For example these countries do not have Papaya Ring Spot Virus that has decimated the Hawaiian papaya industry or taro leaf blight that has closed down the Samoan taro industry.

     The squash industry in Tonga: The absence of these diseases has created major export industries for the farmers of these countries. Squash for example is Tongas main export industry. Vanuatu has also been able export squash to Japan and New Zealand (see Vanuatu squash industry case study). This would not have been possible if Tonga had any of the fruit flies listed above.

     The beef industry in Vanuatu: Vanuatu has the most important beef industry in the region. It has been able to secure Office International des Epizooties certification that it is free from 'type A' livestock diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease. Vanuatu also, thanks to its disease free status, is able to export beef to Japan.

     Geographical characteristics are the main features for defense of alien species: This enviable quarantine status is the result of the combination of geographic isolation, vigilance of the part of the quarantine service in enforcing the laws at its disposal, and a far measure of good luck. The quarantine service in all three countries has a reputation for strictly and consistently enforcing the rules and being able to resist political pressure. It has the advantage of having at its disposal penalties that will be taken seriously by potential violators.

     Stringent enforcement of policy measures: Recently as a part program to protect Fiji from the introduction of exotic fruit flies, severe penalties were enacted under the Plant Quarantine Act for smuggling fruit and vegetables and other plant material. These penalties ($10,000 fine and/or 2 years imprisonment) have been prominently displayed at international airports and ports of entry. A very marked increase in the volume of fruit placed in the amnesty bins at the airports provides a strong measure of compliance to these new measures.

     Compliance: To-date there have been no prosecutions under these new penalty provisions. However the severity of the penalties, and the Quarantine Departments reputation for enforcement, appears to have been sufficient to enforce compliance.