ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Agron.
Sec. Pest Management
Volume 7 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fagro.2025.1604493
Rapid Risk Assessment to Prioritise Potentially High-risk Non-native Plant Pests to Protect Agriculture and Forestry, Safeguard Biodiversity, and Facilitate Trade in Burundi
Provisionally accepted- 1CAB International, Nairobi, Kenya
- 2Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Burundi, Bujumbura, Burundi
- 3Office National de Controle et de Certification des Semences (ONCCS), Bujumbura, Uganda
- 4Direction de la Protection des Vegetaux du Burundi (DPV), Gitega, Burundi
- 5L'Autorité Burundaise de Régulation des Produits Vétérinaires, des Pesticides et des Aliments (ABREVPA), Bujumbura, Burundi
- 6Direction de Vulgarisation, Formation, Recherche et Développement (DVFRD), Bujumbura, Burundi
- 7Université de Ngozi, Ngozi, Ngozi, Burundi
- 8Université Lumière de Bujumbura, Bujumbura, Bujumbura Mairie, Burundi
- 9University of Burundi, Bujumbura, Burundi
- 10Direction générale de la mobilisation pour l’auto-développement et de la vulgarisation Agricole (DGAEVMA), Bujumbura, Burundi
- 11CAB International, Leusden, Netherlands
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The lack of information regarding potential invasions is one of the crucial factors contributing to the rise in pest incursions in sub-Saharan Africa, which was addressed through horizon scanning. Utilising the CABI Horizon Scanning Tool, 8,747 non-native pest species not previously recorded in Burundi were identified. The initial output was filtered to include only species with complete names, resulting in 8,541 species. This was further refined by selecting pests that affected major value chains in Burundi, leading to 1,803 species. Eight species were added from the analysis of the current list of regulated pests for Burundi, along with four soft rot species considered of phytosanitary concern, bringing the total to 1,815. An additional 104 vectors that transmit the assessed species and seven pathogenic organisms transmitted by those species were added, resulting in 1,926 species. The 1,926 pest species, including 416 classified as invasive, comprised 550 arthropods, 153 bacteria, 79 chromista, 518 fungi, 19 molluscs, 141 nematodes, nine protists, 16 viroids, and 437 viruses. The highest recorded overall risk score was 175, attributed to 41 species, while the lowest was 2, associated with 55 species. The majority (n = 1,030; 53%) of the assessed species could solely be introduced as contaminants, whereas the least (n = 347; 18%) were stowaways, and others (n = 435; 23%) could be introduced through multiple pathways. Using agreed-upon criteria for suggesting management actions, 58% (n = 1,123) of the pest species were deemed unsuitable for any action, 18% (n = 350) were recommended for detection surveillance, and 25% (n = 476) were considered for regulation. Additional actions included contingency planning, raising awareness about highrisk pests (risk communication), managing some species through industry involvement, and conducting research to inform phytosanitary measures. These horizon scanning results will be utilised to develop a Register of Priority Pests for Burundi for risk monitoring and to update the list of regulated pests to facilitate trade in Burundi.
Keywords: Invasive Alien Species, horizon scanning, Pest identification, pest risk analysis, Pest risk management
Received: 01 Apr 2025; Accepted: 08 Aug 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Mulema, Ndayihanzamaso, Birushe, Bizimungu, Cimpaye, Gikoro, Hakizimana, Hatungimana, Ingabire, Irakiza, Itangishaka, Manirakiza, Masabarakiza, Minani, Minani, Mpawenimana, Nahaniyo, Ndayiragije, Ndayishemeza, Ndayishimiye, Ndikumana, Nduwimana, Niko, Nkubaye, Nshimirimana, Ntawuyankira, Sakayoya, Niyongere, Karanja, Akiri, Onkendi, Rwomushana, Musonerimana, Vos and Ochillo. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Joseph Mulema, CAB International, Nairobi, Kenya
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