26 July 1990

36th Plenary Meeting

1990/61. Fight against the screw-worm infestation

The Economic and Social Council,

Noting with alarm that the screw-worm fly has been introduced into North Africa and is now established, thereby posing a potential threat to people, livestock and wildlife in Africa, the Mediterranean parts of Europe and the Near East,

Recognizing the potentially devastating effects of the screw-worm infestation on people, livestock and wildlife and the adverse socio-economic consequences thereof,

Noting that the resources and technology needed for eradication are not currently available in the infested region and that concerted efforts at the national, subregional, regional and global levels will be required,

1. Expresses appreciation to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the support and technical assistance extended and for the surveillance, control and prevention efforts that have helped to contain the present infestation and prevent its introduction into surrounding areas;

2. Welcomes the establishment by the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations of the Screw-worm Emergency Centre for North Africa, which will co-ordinate an eradication campaign among donors, affected countries and regional and other international organizations;

3. Urges the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to strengthen its co-ordination mechanisms and its technical and field operation support to countries for such a campaign aimed at eliminating the screw-worm from North Africa, the Mediterranean parts of Europe and the Near East, through use of the Sterile Insect Technique, which is the only technique available and proved for the purpose;

4. Encourages funding agencies, such as the United Nations Development Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the donor community to support an eradication programme;

5. Invites the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to submit to the Economic and Social Council at its second regular session of 1991 an up-to-date report on the screw-worm infestation and efforts undertaken to eradicate it.