Pest risk analysis on hand luggage at OR Tambo International Airport : a case study of flights from Cameroon, India and Kenya

Abstract

A Pest Risk Analysis was conducted on commodities imported as hand luggage from Cameroon, India and Kenya at O.R. Tambo International Airport. The initiation phase indicated that fruit, and to a lesser extent vegetables, are often imported concealed in hand luggage and not declared for inspection. Such undeclared commodities pose a risk to the South African agricultural industry and environment as it may serve as a pathway for quarantine pests. The qualitative pest risk assessment conducted on the commodities intercepted indicated that the risk is high, with the commodities serving as pathways for quarantine pests including insects, bacteria, mites, fungi, viruses and weeds. Bactrocera fruit flies were identified as a specific high risk and were further subjected to a quantitative pest risk assessment. Mitigation treatments for fruit flies were evaluated for efficacy and effect on the quality of the fruit. Hot water immersion treatment was deemed to be an effective mitigation treatment for fruit flies. This treatment on fruit flies was found effective at pulp temp of 46°C and 47°C where the pulp temp is held for 10 and 12 minutes respectively.