International live insect trade: a survey of stakeholders
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
There are significant numbers of transboundary shipments of live insects for pollination, pest management, industrial
processes, research and other uses, but data collection and analysis have proved difficult. The World Organisation for
Animal Health and Collectif TIS (Technique de l’Insecte Stérile), a French think tank, carried out a stakeholder survey
to understand the nature of the live insect trade and potential challenges to safety and efficiency. Target respondents
had experience in the areas of biocontrol, sterile insect technique, entomological research and regulatory affairs.
Although the survey was sent globally, the responses were unintentionally biased towards Europe, where interest is
high, since this region is developing a comprehensive framework to promote the use of beneficial insects to replace
pesticides.
The survey also explored respondents’ knowledge of several international agreements on the movement and risk
management of beneficial or invasive insects. Knowledge of the various regulations was generally poor, and respondents highlighted a perceived lack of clarity regarding live insect shipments in the existing international regulations
and guidelines. Almost two-thirds of participants reported reluctance by carriers to accept live insects for shipment,
and three-quarters described occasional to systematic delays that resulted in a reduction of quality or viability. Some
respondents reported that they instead hand-carry live insects, mostly in small quantities.
Participants described being directly involved in trade covering 70 species of live insects and ticks transported
among 37 countries, with volumes ranging from fewer than ten insects to over a million per shipment. Of these, 30%
were potential vectors of pathogens to humans or animals, 42% were potential plant pest species (including some
used for biocontrol), and 17% were classical biocontrol agents.
The results of this survey begin to define the current scope, scale and issues for those involved in shipping live insects
and ticks across political boundaries. The survey’s aim is to persuade regulatory bodies and shipping operators to
facilitate safety, efficiency and consistency in this underdeveloped sector.
processes, research and other uses, but data collection and analysis have proved difficult. The World Organisation for
Animal Health and Collectif TIS (Technique de l’Insecte Stérile), a French think tank, carried out a stakeholder survey
to understand the nature of the live insect trade and potential challenges to safety and efficiency. Target respondents
had experience in the areas of biocontrol, sterile insect technique, entomological research and regulatory affairs.
Although the survey was sent globally, the responses were unintentionally biased towards Europe, where interest is
high, since this region is developing a comprehensive framework to promote the use of beneficial insects to replace
pesticides.
The survey also explored respondents’ knowledge of several international agreements on the movement and risk
management of beneficial or invasive insects. Knowledge of the various regulations was generally poor, and respondents highlighted a perceived lack of clarity regarding live insect shipments in the existing international regulations
and guidelines. Almost two-thirds of participants reported reluctance by carriers to accept live insects for shipment,
and three-quarters described occasional to systematic delays that resulted in a reduction of quality or viability. Some
respondents reported that they instead hand-carry live insects, mostly in small quantities.
Participants described being directly involved in trade covering 70 species of live insects and ticks transported
among 37 countries, with volumes ranging from fewer than ten insects to over a million per shipment. Of these, 30%
were potential vectors of pathogens to humans or animals, 42% were potential plant pest species (including some
used for biocontrol), and 17% were classical biocontrol agents.
The results of this survey begin to define the current scope, scale and issues for those involved in shipping live insects
and ticks across political boundaries. The survey’s aim is to persuade regulatory bodies and shipping operators to
facilitate safety, efficiency and consistency in this underdeveloped sector.
Date Issued
2022-05-01
Date Acceptance
2022-05-01
Citation
Revue Scientifique et Technique de l'OIE, 2022, 41 (1), pp.29-65
ISSN
0253-1933
Publisher
O.I.E (World Organisation for Animal Health)
Start Page
29
End Page
65
Journal / Book Title
Revue Scientifique et Technique de l'OIE
Volume
41
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2022 Oliva C.F., Chand R., Prudhomme J., Messori S., Torres G.,
Mumford J.D., Deme I. & Quinlan M.M.; licensee the World Organisation
for Animal Health. This is an open access article distributed under
the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution IGO License (https://
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/legalcode), which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided
the original work is properly cited. In any reproduction of this article
there should not be any suggestion that WOAH or this article endorse any
specific organisation, product or service. The use of the WOAH logo is not
permitted. This notice should be preserved along with the article’s original
URL.
Mumford J.D., Deme I. & Quinlan M.M.; licensee the World Organisation
for Animal Health. This is an open access article distributed under
the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution IGO License (https://
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/legalcode), which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided
the original work is properly cited. In any reproduction of this article
there should not be any suggestion that WOAH or this article endorse any
specific organisation, product or service. The use of the WOAH logo is not
permitted. This notice should be preserved along with the article’s original
URL.
Identifier
https://doc.woah.org/dyn/portal/index.xhtml?page=alo&aloId=42664
Subjects
0707 Veterinary Sciences
Veterinary Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2022-05-01