New quarantine pest lists in Saudi Arabia to enhance food security

A strategic step to protect Saudi agriculture

In a strategic move aimed at strengthening food security and protecting plant resources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the National Center for Plant Pest and Animal Disease Prevention and Control (Wiqa’) the adoption of new and updated lists of quarantine and non-quarantine pests subject to regulations. This measure comes as part of the Center’s ongoing efforts to raise the level of plant health and protect the agricultural sector from the potential risks posed by transboundary pests.

The center explained that these updated lists will take effect immediately upon publication of the decision in the Official Gazette, replacing the previous lists. All relevant authorities, both governmental and private, have been mandated to immediately adopt these new classifications in all their procedures related to importing, exporting, and monitoring agricultural products.

General context and importance of modernization

This step comes within the context of the significant transformation underway in the Kingdom's agricultural sector, a cornerstone of achieving sustainable food security as outlined in Saudi Vision 2030. With the increasing volume of global trade in agricultural products, the risks associated with the spread of serious plant pests and diseases are also rising, potentially causing severe damage to local crops and negatively impacting the national economy. The "Wiqaa" Center, established to unify national efforts in this field, serves as the first line of defense for protecting the Saudi agricultural environment by implementing the latest international standards and practices in plant quarantine.

Details of the new lists and their classifications

The new lists were compiled based on rigorous scientific studies and risk analysis, and include a detailed classification of pests based on their severity and potential impact. These lists encompass a variety of organisms that threaten plant health, as follows:

1. Quarantine pests

These are pests that are not registered in the Kingdom, or are registered but have limited spread and are subject to official control programs. The introduction of these pests can cause significant economic losses. Some of the most prominent examples are listed in the updated list:

• Insects: sapodilla fruit fly, guava fruit fly, longhorn beetle, Japanese strawberry weevil, apple stem borer, and mango fruit fly.
• Other pests: Colorado potato beetle and corn spikeworm.

2. Fungal and viral diseases

The list includes a range of serious pathogens that target strategic crops, including:

• Fungal diseases: such as Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium spp. and Fusarium xylarioides.
• Viral diseases: Citrus mosaic virus, tomato leaf curl virus, tomato contagious yellow virus, and citrus varicella virus.
• Other diseases: Citrus blight, citrus leprosy, and coconut kuding-kuding viroid.

Expected impact at the local and international levels

Updating these lists not only protects local crops but also has significant economic and commercial implications. Locally , this measure helps safeguard farmers' investments, increases productivity, and ensures the sustainability of agricultural resources. Internationally , the Kingdom's application of rigorous phytosanitary standards, consistent with international agreements (such as the WTO's Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement), enhances the reputation of Saudi agricultural products and facilitates their access to global markets, thereby supporting non-oil exports and achieving the desired economic diversification.