Declaration of Rhino beetle as emergency pest applauded by SICCI

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The national government has been applauded by the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) for making the declaration of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle as an emergency pest.

The Chamber as a member of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Committee (CRBC) has been highlighting the urgency to eradicate the beetles since last year.
SICCI CEO, Dennis Meone said, the foreign beetle is a threat to the coconut and oil palm sector.  He says it is evident that farmers and businesses in these sectors are already feeling the effects of these beetles.

Many farmers and families rely on these commodities for income generation and basic survival as well as for employment.  For the country’s economy, coconut and oil palm are critical resources both commercially and on a subsistence level.

Mr Meone says “It’s a relief that our government has taken the positive step in making this a national emergency issue and we urge all stakeholders including the Government, businesses and NGOs in the Private Sector to work together to boost the eradication process,”

It is believed that five provinces have been affected by the rhino beetle including reported areas around Honiara and Guadalcanal.  The country faces a national crisis if eradication of the beetles continues at a slow pace, the CRBC concluded in its last meeting.

The largest palm oil producer and employer of over 1,400 Solomon Islanders, Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited (GPPOL) faces imminent threat of production loss after the beetles were discovered in their fields last year.  At present the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle is affecting their younger oil palm trees, and if it continues production is likely to be severely affected in the coming years.    

The beetles were initially found harboured on coconut trees. First reported sightings were in 2012. It has since spread further into Guadalcanal as far west as Visale in Northwest Guadalcanal and oil palms at GPPOL in Northeast Guadalcanal.
SICCI is represented at the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Committee (CRBC) by its Export Industry Development Officer (EIDO) who works in collaboration with the Coconut Industry Working Group and Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) program.
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