Frequently Asked Questions Joint FAO/IAEA Programme

Insect Pest Control

Animal Production and Health Our sub-Programme assists national agricultural authorities and regional organizations in the implementation across provincial, national or regional boundaries, of environmentally-friendly and sustainable methods to control or eradicate major insect pests of crops, as well as insects of veterinary importance, through the application of nuclear-based and related technologies. In doing so, we support Member Countries' efforts to reduce pesticide use and their negative impacts on food and the environment, to preserve biological diversity and contribute to the introduction of profitable and sustainable agricultural systems in developing countries. We also facilitate trade in food and agricultural commodities through assistance with the establishment of pest-free areas and by promoting the application of harmonized quarantine regulations and other Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS).

Present activities focus on:

Our activities are implemented through Research Networks, Technical Co-operation Projects and Training Courses, in close collaboration with two FAO Divisions, namely Plant Production and Protection (AGP) and Animal Production and Health (AGA). We operate our own research oriented Entomology Laboratory (for more information please refere to our last Annual Report - 2005) at the FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratory at Seibersdorf, and promote information sharing by convening scientific and technical meetings of national and international experts, international symposia and regional seminars, and disseminating the results of our activities through various types of publications including newsletters, public information materials and manuals.