IAEA Research Project CRP D620126

The second research coordination meeting (RCM) of CRP D620126 (Novel Irradiation Technology for Phytosanitary Treatment of Food Commodities and Promotion of Trade) was held as a virtual meeting on 3, 5 and 11, 12 July. The research initiative is being coordinated by the Food Safety and Control Section in collaboration with the Insect Pest Control Section of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre. It aims to build on a previous CRP and validate the absorbed radiation doses proposed as generic treatments for nine key groups of pests. In doing so it aims to produce at least five generic phytosanitary irradiation treatments using large numbers of pests. Factors that might affect treatment efficacy will also be investigated to stimulate the development of new techniques for irradiation to combat pests and maintain food quality. The purpose of this second RCM was to review the research work carried out by the participating institutions and refine the work plans for the next phase of research. Members of the International Plant Protection Commission’s Technical Panel on Phytosanitary Treatments (TPPT) and the International Irradiation Association (iiA) were invited as observers. The meeting was chaired by Mr Guy Hallman (Phytosanitation, USA). Mr Osama El-Lissy, Secretary, International Plant Protection Convention provided opening remarks during the opening session. Ms Janka Kiss (IPPC Secretariat, FAO) provided a presentation and facilitated a discussion on phytosanitary treatments and the process of making submissions for review by the TPPT. Peter Leach, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, made a very useful contribution based on his experience of research methodology, priorities, and development of IPPC TPPT submissions. Cory Penca, USDA-APHIS-PPQ S&T, presented recent progress on his very interesting Species Sensitivity Distribution (SSD) approach for developing generic doses. Seventeen research presentations were provided as updates. The first series of technical presentations focused on factors that might affect treatment efficacy, and later presentations focused on research that targets mealybugs, leafminers and Lepidoptera. The IAEA collaborating center at Aerial, in France also provided an up-date on a forthcoming dosimetry inter-comparison exercise that will be held as part of the CRP.

Photo credit: Vinagamma