Cadang-Cadang disease containment program

English. The Cadang-cadang disease, caused by the coconut cadang-cadang viroid is endemic only in the Bicol provinces [Philippines] and in isolated locations in Quezon, Samar and Biliran provinces [Philippines]. Since it was first recognized in the 1930's, cadang-cadang was estimated to have killed about 30 million palms. During the last five years, an import ban has been imposed on young fresh coconuts (buko), dessicated coconut, nata de coco, makapuno, coconut in powder and sliced form and fiber by-products be several countries due to the disease and its alleged danger to human health. But the threat of cadang-cadang disease can be countered because of availability of rapid, reliable detection methods, technical manpower expertise and facilities in the country. A comprehensive and sustainable disease containment program is presented to establish the required conditions that will remove the present biases and doubts raised by importing countries on phi lippine coconut products. The program has three components geared towards the resumption of coconut exports. The identification and accreditation of disease-free areas will assure importers that coconuts will be taken only from disease-free palms that have been subjected to highly sensitive CCCVd detection techniques. Establishment of buffer zones in Luzon and Visayas will prevent the further spread of the disease and confiner it to certain areas of the country. Eradication of the disease will be done by removal of diseased palms and other possible sources of inoculum in the field and replanting with certified disease-free, high yielding planting materials. The implementation of the program relies heavily on the successful collaboration of the PCA- Albay Research Center with the other field units of the Philippine Coconut Authority as well as other concerned agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, the BPI [Bureau of Plant Industry] Plant Quarantine Service, the Local Government Units and DTI [department of Trade Industry] Bureau of Product Standards.

English. Conference of the Pest Management Council of the Philippines Cebu City (Philippines) 6-9 May 2003