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Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Status of Bactrocera invadens surveillance in South Africa

8 June 2010

On 5 May 2010, exotic fruit fly specimens were detected in surveillance
traps in the northernmost part of the Limpopo province adjacent to the
Zimbabwe border. They were later identified as Bactrocera invadens, a
quarantine pest of serious concern to the Southern African region.

A delimiting survey was deployed by Department of Agriculture, Forestry
and Fisheries directorates Plant Health and Agricultural Product
Inspection Services (APIS) on 12 May 2010 to determine the geographical
extent of the occurrence.

A risk assessment was conducted and phytosanitary control and
containment actions were implemented with immediate effect to control
the movement of fruit from the area under delimitation according the
provisions of Regulation R110. Further actions may include eradication
procedures, pending the final results of the delimiting survey.

Bilateral communications with the relevant technical governmental
counterparts in neighbouring countries are underway.

The South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
started a national Exotic Fruit Fly Surveillance project in January
2006, when a network of fruit fly traps was set up as an early warning
system to detect exotic fruit flies, such as Bactrocera invadens, also
known as the Invader fruit fly.

Traps were placed in production areas, alongside road transects, at
ports of entry and in urban areas close to municipal garbage dumps,
hotels, sports grounds and other strategic places countrywide.

This survey was conducted in close cooperation with various role players
over the years, including fruit industry representative bodies, fruit
importers and fruit processors.

During 2008, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia reported the occurrence of
the Invader fruit fly in their respective countries. This southern
movement and the occurrence of the fruit fly in the territories of
several of South Africa's trading partners led to an intensified
national surveillance project, especially alongside the northern and
eastern borders of South Africa.

The fruit industry was recognised as a key role player to assist with
the surveillance. Subsequently, Citrus Research International (CRI),
Citrus Growers' Association (CGA), the Deciduous Fruit Producers Trust
(DFPT/Hortgro), the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) and the
Subtropical Growers Association became more intensely part of the
official national exotic fruit fly detection survey.

For more information contact:

Steve Galane
Tel: 012 319 7960
Fax: 012 319 6943
Cell: 083 635 7346

Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
8 June 2010

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Green Passport campaign for the 2010 FIFA

Launch of the Green Passport campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup

7 June 2010

Join us at 10h00 tomorrow, 8 June 2010 for the launch of the Green Passport campaign, a key initiative in the "Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Major Sporting Events" project.

This is a joint project of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Global Environment Facility and the South African Department of Environmental Affairs.

The Green Passport aims to encourage visitors to make responsible travel choices whilst visiting South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It's about tourism that respects the environment and positively affects the economic and social development of local communities.

We hope travellers take the new awareness home and implement environmentally friendly changes in their everyday lives and travel plans.

Partners will also use this opportunity to provide updates on new energy efficiency components of this exciting project after celebrating World Environment Day on 5 June 2010.

"One's destination is never a place but rather a new way of seeing things", Henry Miller.

Media is invited to attend.

Date: 8 June 2010
Time: 10h00
Venue: The Corporate Café, The Reserve, number 54 Melville Road, Illovo, Johannesburg, Gauteng

RSVPs:
Judith van der Merwe
Cell: 083 321 2617
Tel: 012 310 3309
E-mail: jvdmerwe@environment.gov.za

Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs
7 June 2010

Sunday, June 6, 2010

R39 million Free State Eco town

Deputy Minister Water and Environment hands over R39 million Free State Eco town on World Environment Day

4 June 2010

A R39 million rand Eco-town, Buyisela was today, 4 June 2010 handed over to the Mantsopa Community by Deputy Water and Environmental Affairs Minister, Rejoice Mabudafhasi in Free State. The handover forms part of the World Environment Day (WED) celebrations in South Africa.

Celebrations will take place under the WED theme, “Many species. One planet. One future.” The theme is pertinent as it echoes the urgent call to conserve diversity of life on our planet.

Speaking at the hand over event, Mabudafhasi said, “Our decision to host World Environment Day 2010 here in Mantsopa was partly influenced by our plan to officially announce the cleaning and greening projects currently being implemented we call them Eco-Town or Buyisela. This work we carry out with our partner Indalo Yethu. The choice of the name was strategically made to convey the message that we restore dignity of communities across the country through key initiatives that will make the towns and residential areas more inhabitable.”

Mabudafhasi went on to say that she hoped the residents and business would embrace the positive changes the Buyisela project is already making in the area. Governments of the world, organisations and communities in many countries around the world have been and continue to campaign for change of attitudes towards sustainable living. “Mantsopa too needs to come on board the progressive Green Revolution agenda,” she emphasised.

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has set aside R400 million for the Buyisela Eco-Towns programme that is being rolled out to 10 municipalities. This initiative aims to create ten eco-towns modelled on sustainability as a legacy project which will serve as a framework or blueprint for other towns to follow. The project was launched in October last year in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. In Mantsopa the project will be carried out by Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) in partnership with Indalo Yethu in conjunction with the Mantsopa Local Municipality.

In Mantsopa the project includes deliverables such as tree planting, street cleaning, installation of bins and equipment, establishment of a market area, composting facility, recycling depot, community food gardens as well as education and awareness. The project is part of the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) with an over arching objective to create job opportunities, skills development and support and encourage the emergence of small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs).

World Environment Day was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 at the Stockholm Conference on the human environment. Commemorated each year on 5 June, WED is one of the principal vehicles through which the UN stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.

South Africans are urged to make a difference, by acting in an environmentally responsible manner.

To access the Deputy Minister’s speech click on the link below: http://www.environment.gov.za//NewsMedia/Speeches/2010Jun4/MANTSOspeech.pdf

For media enquiries contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871

Moses Rannditsheni
Cell: 082 448 2450

Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs
4 June 2010