The Sub-Group on Pest & Sanitation Management in Stored Tobacco was created in 1993 with 8 original members companies. It is a Sub-Group of the CORESTA Phytopathology Study Group. The Sub-Group currently comprises 16 members from 13 companies including tobacco processors, leaf companies, fumigation services, and an independent research agency (Alliance One International, British American Tobacco, Degesch America, Inc., Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA), Gallaher Limited (JTI Group), Imperial Tobacco Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken, Industrial Fumigant Company, Japan Tobacco Inc., JT International Germany GmbH, Lorillard Tobacco Company, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Tabaknatie N.V., and Universal Leaf Tobacco Company).
The objectives of the Sub-Group are:
- To share information on methods to control pests in stored tobacco.
- To conduct collaborative studies on pest control and sanitation practices for tobacco in storage.
- To investigate new technologies and issues related to infestation control methods.
- To educate those involved with pest control in the tobacco industry world-wide.
The Sub-Group meets approximately once per year to discuss the world-wide pest control issues facing the tobacco industry and come up with solutions. Over the past few years the Sub-Group meeting has been combined with an Infestation Control Conference (ICC). The ICC is a workshop open to all parties associated with the tobacco industry. Our goal is to provide the tobacco industry with the knowledge and resources needed to implement the best practices for controlling the two primary tobacco pests, the cigarette beetle and the tobacco moth.
A primary concern of the Sub-Group has been keeping phosphine fumigation as a viable tool for the industry. Early on the Sub-Group perceived deficiencies in the fumigation standard that was employed world-wide at the time. Through the collaborative research and funding of the Sub-Group, a new fumigation standard was developed and communicated around the world to protect against failed fumigations and the development of phosphine resistance.
Despite these efforts, the incidences of phosphine resistance have increased world-wide. Therefore, over the years the Sub-Group has developed fumigation standards for resistant beetle populations and evaluated alternative fumigants. This evaluation has involved looking at the efficacy of alternative fumigants and investigating cigarette beetle and tobacco moth biology to discern if there are some biological properties which may be exploited and developed into control methods. All of the traditional fumigants that have been investigated have proven inadequate. The two alternatives with the most promise are freezing and controlled atmospheres. A freezing guide has been already been implemented for cigarette beetles and investigations into controlled atmospheres are underway.
The Sub-Group is committed to providing training to the tobacco industry and communicating the pressing issues, most accurate research, and latest developments. The ICCs have been conducted by the Sub-Group around the world. Since the initial ICC in China, these seminars have been great examples of how the Sub-Group’s scientific research can be translated into improved working practices which are then communicated to a wide global audience. These training seminars have been held in USA (2001); Mexico, Brazil and Turkey (2002); Belgium and Malaysia (2003); South Africa (2004); India (2005); Turkey (2006); Belgium (2007); Thailand (2008); and Brazil (2009). The Sub-Group is planning to return to China in 2010 and South Africa in 2011. The conferences have been well attended in each region by tobacco suppliers, cigarette manufacturers and pest controllers. These training sessions provide an excellent opportunity to demonstrate a common CORESTA Sub-Group approach to shared infestation problems. Conference attendees are introduced to insect biology, good sanitation practices, appropriate storage and handling practices, proper phosphine fumigation standards, and alternatives.
A series of four excellent videos/DVDs have been developed to help reinforce training:
· Video 1 - "A Force to Be Reckoned With” - gives the viewer an overview of infestation control.
· Video 2A - "Handle with Care” - has been updated with the updated fumigation.
· Video 3 - "First Line of Defense.” - the foundations of a highly effective sanitation program
· Video 4 - "A Battle Worth Winning" - infestation control on tobacco farms and processing facilities.
The series is available in a number of language versions (English, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish & French).
A number of other examples can be given of the activities of the Sub-Group to assist the tobacco industry. The Sub-Group is investigating how/if criteria can be established for evaluating whether or not a pheromone trap is acceptable for use within the industry. Mating disruption for moth pests has been used successfully in other agricultural settings and has shown some promise to control tobacco moths in storage and manufacturing facilities. The Sub-Group has confirmed the high temperatures that are lethal to all stages of the cigarette beetle and tobacco moth. Members of the Sub-Group have had great success using heat treatment methods for disinfesting manufacturing equipment.Sub-Group Coordinators
Vernon
Schmidt (schmidv@rjrt.com)
Annette Murray (annette.murray@reemtsma.de)
Newsletters
The Insect Free Post - Issue 1 - March 2009
The Insect Free Post - Issue 2 - April 2010