date:Dec 19, 2013
The State Phytosanitary Service (SFE) of Costa Ricas Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock declared a national emergency in the banana sector due to increasing populations of twopests, the scale insects Diaspis boisduvalii and Pseudococcus elisae. The banana industry estimates that these insects are affecting 24,000 hectares. The damage is cosmetic, causing black spots on the fruit, but this is sufficient to lead packers to reject the fruit, thus causing significant economic harm.
Decree 38008-