The Pacific Community and the Pacific Plant Protection Organisation have launched three pivotal online resources – the revamped Regional Biosecurity Information Facility ,the upgraded Pacific Islands Pest List Database, and a newly established webpage.

The online biosecurity and pest sites are tipped to serve as valuable resources in the region’s attempts to meet increases in diseases and pests, and their spread which threaten biodiversity, food security and small economies.

Director of Land Resources Division at SPC, Karen Mapusua said that up-to-date and accurate information on the distribution of invasive species and the status of biosecurity risks is crucial to protect the region from threats.

There is a need to ensure that the Pacific Community and other agencies were resourced to provide complimentary actions to support the PPPO objectives and mandate, and that there was no duplication or gaps, she said.

The revamped Biosecurity Information Facility is a centralised platform for exchanging, storing, and disseminating essential biosecurity information among countries and organisations while ensuring ownership, consistent updating and relevance of shared information.

The Pacific Islands Pest List Database stores records of pests currently affecting agriculture, forestry and the environment in Pacific Island countries and territories.

It is a vital repository for the region’s plant pest information and an important market access and trade resource.

The PPPO website acts as an online hub where the region’s National Plant Protection Organisations can exchange information regarding their plant protection activities, get updates on significant work carried out by the International Plant Protection Covention, including contributions to global plant health initiatives.

Additionally, it offers access to pest alerts and regional standards for phytosanitary measures.

These three platforms collectively provide Pacific biosecurity officers and the public with fast and user-friendly access to biosecurity information and pest data.

Ensuring greater awareness and biosecurity risk profiling, communication and protection of Pacific borders from foreign plant pest and disease threats.

The online resources were launched at the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)/PPPO Draft International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) Regional Workshop and PPPO Regional Technical Board Meeting” held on Rarotonga from 21 to 25 August.

The Cook Islands meetings were co-funded by the European Union (EU) via the Safe Agricultural Trade Facilitation through Economic Integration in the Pacific (SAFE Pacific) project, the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (NZMPI) via the Enhanced Pacific Market Access Partnership programme, the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus programme, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations. ME/SPC MEDIA