Fusarium Wilt, Tropical Race 4 Awareness Webinar in recognition of World Pest Awareness Day
On June 7th, 2021, the USDA APHIS-IS Trinidad Office in collaboration with the CPHD Forum’s Musa Technical Working Group (TWG) hosted a webinar entitled, “Raising the Caribbean’s Awareness on Fusarium Wilt, Tropical Race 4”, in acknowledgement of World Pest Awareness Day celebrated on June 6th annually. The session, hosted via zoom, attracted over 80 participants from 20 member countries as well as regional and international plant health organizations.
The objective of the webinar was to share relevant information on Fusarium Wilt, Tropical Race 4 and raise the Caribbean’s awareness of the pest, considering the recent detection of TR4 in Peru and Columbia and the USDA May 21st, 2021 Federal Order for TR4. Presentations were made by Dr. Miguel Dita, Senior Scientist from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and Mr. Victor Prada, Secretary of the World Banana Forum. Dr. Dita’s presentation focused on the “Disease Epidemiology, Pathways, Proposed Safeguarding and Response Systems in an Island Context” whilst Mr. Prada presented on, “The World Banana Forum (WBF) – Funding and Collaborative Opportunities, Strategies to combat the threats of TR4”.
The webinar was deemed a success by all who attended, and the presentations were well received. The Musa TWG will continue to work virtually on developing their National Actions Plans for TR4 which will allow for the region to benefit from the pending FAO TR4 Global Project and future collaborations with WBF TR4 Global Network.
