DHAKA, Jan 28, 2022 (BSS) - Speakers at a virtual discussion have

called or strengthening the lab facilities and building accredited
national and central laboratory with ISO standard to develop plant
pest identification systems in Bangladesh.

  "Strengthening the lab facilities, building accredited national and
central laboratory with ISO standard and providing training facilities
have been identified as most crucial point in plant pest
identification systems in Bangladesh", they said.

  They were addressing a virtual training on 'Plant Pest
Identification Systems' held on January 24 under the USDA project
"Improving Phytosanitary Trade Compliance in Bangladesh", organized by
Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions
(APAARI), Thailand, said a press release today.

  The foreign experts including Bangladesh Department of Agriculture
Extension (DAE) high officials emphasized on the current processes
that need to change to strengthen the pest identification system in
Bangladesh.

  Knowledge on Pest Identification Systems is a crucial point for safe
trade of the importing and exporting countries, they said, adding"
Expertise on this subject are much needed for Bangladesh to fulfill
its WTO-SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) compliances effectively."

   USDA and APAARI representatives, along with the Plant Quarantine
Wing (PQW) and Plant Protection Wing (PPW) of the Department of
Agricultural Extension (DAE), Bangladesh Agricultural Universities
(BAU), National Agricultural Research System (NARS), BARI (Pathology
and Entomology Division), Gazipur; BRRI (Pathology and Entomology
Division) Gazipur; BJRI, CDB, BARC, BSRI, BWMRI, BFVAPEA joined the
training.

  The training was on the ability to identify and detect specific
pests accurately, rapidly and easily, understanding the procedure,
process and techniques of the pest identification system,
understanding the record keeping of pest ID system and the quarantine
pest control measure in Bangladesh on exportable fresh horticultural
produce as well as learning to develop an official pest identification
procedure.