Provincial Administration Discovers Pests in Leaf Tobacco Imports

Source from:  TobaccoChina Online 09/19/2010

Anhui Provincial Administration for Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine in east China's Anhui Province, in a recent inspection of a shipment of leaf tobacco imports from Malawi, surprisingly discovered adults of Lasioderma serricorne, commonly known as the Tobacco Beetle. Acting on a notice from China National Tobacco Corporation, inspectors with Anhui Provincial Administration for Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine went to the storage of a cigarette factory in the province that imported the leaf tobacco, to inspect the 71.28 ton shipment of leaf tobacco valued at 3.5805 million yuan (526,500 U.S. dollars), after its release from a local port. In carrying out inspection, the inspectors saw some adults of Lasioderma serricorne - a pest of stored products - moving about outside the container and at the bottom of the freight lot. After opening the container, they discover more adults of Lasioderma serricorne inside. According to sources with the administration, it was the first time for the administration to discover pests in leaf tobacco imports from Malawi. After further biological identification, the pests discovered were proven to be adults of Lasioderma serricorne. As the shipment of leaf tobacco imports was relatively small, and thanks to timely fumigation treatment of the imports, no damage has been caused, according to reports. Enditem