Prohibition to enter the country for any product made from banana (leaves, stems ...)

SFE (Servicio Fitosanitario del Estado), the Phytosanitary Service of Costa Rica has announced the prohibition to enter the country for any product or object manufactured from raw materials extracted from the leaves, stems or fruits of the musaceae (family bananas and plantains).

 

 

 

According to phytosanitary authorities, almost any product made from diseased plant fibers is able to carry spores, such as in a hat, bag or other item made from dried banana fiber.

 

 

 

The measure is taken to prevent the appearance of Fusarium in the country because it is not present in the Americas. The Foc R4T is a mushroom endowed with an incredible capacity of dispersion. Its spores can survive in the soil up to 30 years but also in any material, even if it is dry.

 

 

 

"There are no known effective chemical measures, the best management tool is the prevention of pest entry," said Nelson Morera, Chief of Phytosanitary Control.