With increased globalization and modernization of travel, Invasive Alien Species (IAS) - plants, animals and micro-organisms - present a growing environmental and economic threat to biodiversity and crops production. Several IAS have been introduced, over many years into various parts of the Mediterranean region, including Syria and Lebanon and the neighbouring countries: Jordan and Iraq. Many IAS have become invasive in the region and especially Silver leaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium-SE), Indian Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferruginus) in Syria and Jordan, and recently water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.
The spread of SE has reached serious proportions in several regions of Syria and Iraq in cultivated and uncultivated lands, but the infestation is more serious especially in the North-East of Syria and the North-West of Iraq. The infested area increased rapidly, from 14 497 hectares in 2003 to 25 903 hectares in 2008 affecting approx. 62 percent of the cultivated area of Syria (mainly cotton and wheat that are major production items of exports; and recently olive trees). Moreover, about 9 391 hectares infested by SE are considered as wasted lands. A similar massive infestation has been reported in Iraq and in various sites in Lebanon and Jordan. There is therefore a big potential risk that this plant will be also soon spread to more croplands in these countries and it is urgent to assess its spread, geographical distribution and impact in the four countries.
Taking into account the magnitude of the problem posed by SE in Syria and Iraq and a possible invasive spread in the neighbouring countries (Lebanon and Jordan) due to intense traffic and products exchange, these countries expressed their need to develop an action plan comprising awareness raising, training of extension and field technical personnel and farmers on SE management programme; to exchange information and to procure the main necessary material. More effective measures to prevent the further spread of SE being equally and urgently required also in other areas, the Governments of Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria requested FAO assistance to develop such a programme and formulate an IPM strategy that can enable stakeholders to prevent introduction and reduce SE infestation and spread significantly in the medium term as well as to formulate a project document for a long term intervention for funding by donors with the contribution of the countries concerned.
Components of the development initiatives include training (technical persons and farmers), legislative reforms and institutional capacity development. The National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) will be nominated as the government agencies responsible for project execution, in collaboration with other national concerned authorities (environment, irrigation, roads management, NGOs.) of the targeted countries.
