QUARANTINE is planning to conduct checks on all goods bound for the provinces at the Honiara wharves.
Director of Quarantine at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Francis Tsatsia told the Solomon Star on Tuesday following the discovery of giant African snails in Auki, Malaita province, recently.
He said that plans are underway to put up posters at the wharves.
“This is to ensurequarantine officers can check all goods and belongings carried by travelers before leaving Honiara to their respective islands,” MrTsatsia said.
“Currently plans are under discussions to place the posters at the main wharf.
“Those posters will be placed at the wharf and in ships to remind public not to transport soil or flowers that might carry the African giant snail.”
Meanwhile, he called on everyone to cooperate in order to stop the spread of this deadly pest to other islands.
He said penalties will be imposed if someone is found spreading the pest to other islands.
“Therefore, I urge every traveling public to properly check their goods and belongings by cleaning them to ensure that theres no snail hiding in them.”
Mr Tsatsia said the movement of machineries and plants may have contributed to the rapid spread of the snails.
By WILLIAM EKOTANI
in Auki
