Dealing with the Red Palm Weevil

I refer to the letter The Death Of Palm Trees (May 20). It is to be noted that the private property mentioned in the letter is not owned by the Diocesan authorities as confirmed to us by the Archbishop's Curia. Research is being carried out by the ministry's legal office to trace the owner.

In the meantime, the department is waiting for a permit to be issued in order for our people to enter the premises and remove the tree. The Plant Health Department is taking all the necessary actions and measures to control the spread of this pest. It is to be noted that felling is not always the best solution for the control of this pest. Action to be taken is decided by the technical staff within the department only after the situation is analysed.

This integrated approach has resulted to be effective as has been noted through previous correspondence by the public to this newspaper. The Plant Health Department would appreciate if all notices of Red Palm Weevil presence are brought to the attention of the Surveillance and Inspectorate Unit within the same department on 2339 7545.