Overview
A diverse range of other pest management tools are available to manage pest populations.
- Examples are diverse and include crop rotation, solarisation to manage soil pathogens, and vector management.
- Evaluating the efficacy of these measures requires demonstrating a consistent and repeatable reduction in pest abundance at the registered site at a time when the commodity is vulnerable to infestation.
- These other pest management options can be considered when conducting a pest risk assessment. They may also be proposed for managing biosecurity risks, although they are unlikely to be applied as a stand-alone measure.
- Assurance can be achieved through maintenance and audit of records for the pest management options in use.
Evidence to support efficacy
Evidence requirements will vary in relation to the pest management option proposed. The key concept will be to demonstrate the effect of the pest management method on the abundance of the pest in the designated area, and ultimately on infestation rates.
Applying the measure
How it is used
A wide range of other pest management options can be used commercially to manage pest populations. Those include mating disruption, solarisation to manage pests in the soil, and novel techniques such as RNAi. Non-attractive sticky traps can be used as barriers for pests moving into the designated area or onto host plants. Crop rotation is commonly applied to reduce the build-up of pest populations over multiple seasons. Vector management can be critical for vector-borne diseases. And crop management practices can be aimed at improving the overall health of plants and soil, thereby improving resilience against pests.
These other pest management options can be considered when conducting a pest risk assessment. They are rarely applied as stand-alone phytosanitary measures.
Use with other measures
When used as a phytosanitary measure, these pest management options are commonly combined with other pest management measures to manage biosecurity risks.
Similar measures
These tools may be incorporated into Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM). Vector management may draw on methods described in other pest management measures such as the application of pesticides.
Assurance of correct implementation
Documentation and verification procedures will depend on the pest management option implemented. The requirements may include keeping records of the dates and methods of pest management. These records may be audited annually by authorised personnel, with oversight from the NPPO or relevant authority of the exporting jurisdiction.