Nematodes threaten U.S. farmers

Europe is home to many agricultural pests that are not found in the United States and soil is a natural hideout for them. This is why cleaning everything that collects dirt before you send it stateside is so important.These pests can cause great damage to the U.S. farming economy.

***image1***“You can unwittingly introduce voracious pests into the USA,” said William Manning, U.S. Department of Agriculture attaché to the U.S. European Command. “It only takes one little bit of soil on your car, lawn furniture, bicycle, shoe, boot or field gear.”  Vehicles and military equipment are especially prone to infestation by dirt, mud and soil, he added. “It is so important to clean everything you ship or mail home — whether it is as a private person or as part of your work,” Mr. Manning stated.

It is also why the U.S. European Command has a border clearance program that checks personal property and military shipments destined for the U.S. to prevent any pests from spreading. “For example, the burrowing nematode is a tiny worm not native to the States,” Mr. Manning said. “But it could hide in the mud on your boots. If you took that mud stateside, the nematode eggs could later hatch and attack the roots of citrus trees.”

Losses on infested trees cost approximately $2.5 million annually. The golden nematode attacks potatoes and tomatoes reducing yields by as much as 80 percent. It threatens annual crop yields of over $1 billion. Call a military customs office to find out more about agricultural threats to the States or visit Web site at www.hqusareur.army.mil/opm/uscustoms.htm.