The new facility will make enhanced contributions to biosecurity and ecological development in the region.
Yunnan Agricultural University (YAU) and CABI have agreed to establish the Yunnan-CABI Joint Laboratory for Integrated Prevention and Control of Transboundary Pests to help ensure greater food security in Southwest China.
The new facility, which will also make enhanced contributions to biosecurity and ecological development in the region, has been created under the framework of the China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA)-CABI Joint Laboratory for Bio-safety hosted by the Institute of Plant Protection (IPP), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS).
It will strengthen scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation between CABI and YAU in the field of plant protection and biosafety. It will also promote the existing talents, platforms and technological advantages of both parties for mutual benefit and common development.
Yunnan Province is not only the main producing area of paddy rice, tea and tropical fruit in the world but also the major pathway for many transboundary pests and diseases such as Crofton weed, fall armyworm, yellow-spined bamboo locust, fruit flies, rice planthopper, southern black-streaked dwarf disease of rice and wheat blast to enter mainland China.
Prof Yonghe Li, President of YAU, said, “The purpose of the Yunnan Laboratory is to strengthen international cooperation and establish a transboundary pest management laboratory in Yunnan Province. This will radiate to Southeast Asia, South Asia and other regions, so as to ensure food security, biosecurity and ecological security.”
A plaque to mark the opening of the Yunnan Laboratory was unveiled by Prof Youyong Zhu, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, YAU, and Dr Feng Zhang, CABI’s Regional Director, East & South-East Asia, during the International Symposium on Joint Management of Cross-border Crop Pests in China and Southeast Asian Countries.
