Transboundary pests and diseases

Agricultural pests and diseases often migrate or spread across borders, causing major losses and emergencies. Such damage can be catastrophic, leading to famines and sometimes triggering trade restrictions.

FAO established an Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases (EMPRES) in 1994, in order to minimize the risk.

Transboundary pests: Locust Watch

The desert locust migrates in swarms across borders, making it an international problem.

This pest historically has been considered a serious threat to agricultural production in Africa, the Near East and Southwest Asia and often requires large-scale control.

FAO’s emergency assistance to countries facing desert locust invasions is coordinated by the Emergency Centre for Locust Operations (ECLO), at headquarters in Rome.

Technical experts and operational staff strengthen the capacity of national authorities to manage locust-control campaigns and reduce risks from Desert Locust plagues.

Transboundary animal diseases

Animal diseases have potential to reduce:

• quantity and quality of food
• livestock products: hides, skins, fibres
• animal power: traction, transport

Transboundary animal diseases (TADs) are highly contagious epidemic diseases which can spread extremely rapidly, irrespective of national borders, causing serious socio-economic and possibly public health consequences.

They cause high rates of death and disease in animals, thereby constituting a constant threat to the livelihoods of livestock farmers and, in some cases, public health.

Infectious and transboundary diseases in aquatic animals

About 300 hundred species of microalgae can form en masse at times, nearly one fourth of which produce toxins.

Scientifically termed “Harmful Algal Bloom”, they are commonly called “red tides”, as the large patches of planktonic concentration may appear red on the surface.

Proliferation in marine or brackish waters – probably caused by environmental changes – can cause huge fish kills, contaminate seafood with toxins and harm ecosystems.

Transboundary disease in aquaculture

Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food production sector in the world. However, disease hinders both economic and socio-economic development in many countries. 

Over the past three decades, aquaculture has expanded, intensified and diversified.

It is based on movements of animals and animal products such as broodstock, seed, and feed, which have played a pivotal role in the introduction and spread of pathogens and disease into aquaculture systems.