Problem Statement: Namibia currently exports grapes to Europe. A company was expanding its production and wished to penetrate new markets, particularly the USA. Increased production would result in significant job creation, but is dependent on market access. Export of agricultural produce to the USA requires extensive information on likely pests that may threaten domestic production within the USA. Of particular significance are certain species of fruit flies, e.g. the Mediterranean fruit fly. The little information available seemed to indicate that quarantine pests were unlikely to occur within that area. The Mediterranean fruit fly was not known to occur in Namibia.

Methods: Taxonomists at the National Museum of Namibia advised a comprehensive survey programme to record all fruit flies within the production area, later to be expanded to the surrounding area if results were negative. A preliminary survey was conducted by deploying three sets of McPhail traps, baited with a general fruit fly attractant Nu-Lure, and six sets baited with Trimed lure (specific for Mediterranean fruit fly) or Cue lure (specific for certain other species of quarantine concern), supplemented by specialists collecting in the surrounding area. The collected material was processed and forwarded to a consulting taxonomist for identification.

Outcomes and Impacts: Sixteen species of fruit fly were collected from the area, including Mediterranean fruit fly. No fruit flies were collected in traps baited with Trimed or Cue lure. The survey proved that quarantine pests do indeed occur within the area, albeit at low density, and that negative results with species-specific lures do not imply that a target species is absent. The results enabled the company to plan for export procedures commensurate with likely US quarantine provisions. No information is available on what the likely costs to the company would have been if early identification of such quarantine pests were not available, nor is information available on the economic implications of Namibia not being able to be trusted to generate and provide sound information to its trading partners.

Lessons: Implementing appropriate taxonomic procedures at an early stage in economic planning allows for early recognition of potential problems. Taxonomic networking allows rapid and cost-effective sourcing of expertise. Taxonomic self-sufficiency allows for honest communication.