PART IV. 5
on his return to South Africa, to ascertain what action the Union
Government would be able to take and to inform the Agricultural
Department of Kenya what measures would be possible.
In this connection, Mr. Holm stated that he would write officially
to the South African Department of Agriculture, informing them that
this question had been brought up by the Conference and that he had
asked Mr. Fuller to make further enquiries on his return.
Mr. HOLM observed that even if special regulations were
introduced to prevent the spread of Codling Moth to Kenya, there
would seem to be a possibility, if similar regulations were not in force
in Tanganyika, that the Codling Moth might be introduced via
Tanganyika. He would like the opinion of the entomologists as to the
possibility of the moth establishing itself in Tanganyika on native
plants and then spreading to Kenya.
It was generally thought by the Conference that such spread
would be improbable but that it was impossible to be definite on this
point until more information was available as to the host plants: so
far, no instance of Codling Moth on native vegetation had been
recorded.
Mr. KIRKPATRICK expressed the view that the probability of
developing an export trade in apples from Kenya should be the
deciding factor in this discussion. If such export were probable, the
risk of introduction of the pest was not justified and importation
should be prohibited. If, on the other hand, it were improbable that
an export trade would be established, it was not fair to the present
generation to deprive them of such fruit.
It was generally thought by the Conference that there were
prospects of an apple industry being established in certain areas in
Kenya; such being the case, every precaution should be taken to
minimise the risk of the introduction of the Codling Moth.
MEASURES SUGGESTED FOR THE PREVENTION AND
SPREAD OF PLANT DISEASES.
Mr. VAN DEN ABEELE said that, in order to prevent the
spread of plant diseases, it appeared desirable that the transport of
seed from one Colony to another, or even from one part of a Colony
to another part, should be so regulated as to make examination and
perhaps disinfection obligatory under the control of a competent
service of the country of origin, whose certificate, valid for three
months, should be attached to each invoice.
He suggested that the Conference might discuss the methods of
disinfection, and make suggestions for the different botanical species
(cotton, maize, ete.) It was most important that all kinds of seeds
should, on importation, be examined by the special service of the
importing country, and that the results of investigation should be
communicated to the country of origin, together with any enquiries
which might be necessary. (Platyedra gossypiella was recently found
on cotton seed imported from Egypt.)
(The above was circulated as a note under T.C.(C)Ag.20.)
Mr. FULLER thought that no efficient method of protection
could be evolved by means of certificates from the exporting countries.
From experience in South Africa he had no faith in any certificates
2),