The Danish Agricultural Agency is now urging Danes to be extra vigilant about foreign insects in imported food as part of a new effort to protect Denmark’s flora and fauna. This initiative is part of a larger endeavor to prevent harmful species from establishing a presence in Denmark, which can have serious consequences for both nature and agriculture. According to Kristine Riskær, head of Plants and Biosecurity at the Danish Agricultural Agency, it is particularly important to be aware of insects in foods such as bell peppers and chili peppers, which are often imported from countries like Spain and Morocco.
“The worst thing that can happen is for quarantine damaging insects to establish themselves here in the country. It can have an impact on our nature, exports, and plant production,” she explains. The Danish Agricultural Agency is highlighting the issue in connection with the UN’s International Plant Health Day on May 12th, where extra emphasis will be placed on the importance of monitoring and reporting foreign insects.
“With increased international trade and climate change, the risk of invasive species entering is greater than ever,” Riskær adds. An example of a potentially harmful insect is the pepper weevil, which can cause damage to chili and bell peppers by gnawing small holes in them. Another example is the Japanese beetle, which attacks the roots of deciduous trees, causing the leaves to wither and die.
Citizens who discover unusual insects in their food are encouraged to report the observation to the Danish Agricultural Agency through their websites landbrugsstyrelsen.dk or plantesundhed.dk. “It is important for people to include a picture so we can identify the insect and assess its potential threat,” says Riskær. This new effort is part of the Danish Agricultural Agency’s broader responsibility to monitor and protect Danish nature and plant production from invasive species and plant diseases.
“It is a call to all of us who enjoy nature. We must be vigilant and act responsibly to preserve our environment for future generations,” concludes Kristine Riskær.