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Stink Bug Scare in Perth Warehouse
The Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
(DAWR) had a big scare when stink bugs were found in a
southern suburb of Perth, Western Australia. The DAWR
reported both live and dead brown marmorated stink bugs were
found within a shipment of imported cargo from Italy that wound
up in a warehouse located in Jandakot. The DAWR quickly
took biosecurity actions at the site that included spraying and
surveillance, and further biosecurity could be called for pending
the results of surveillance activities on the warehouse. “Australia
has strict import conditions, as well as measures offshore, at the
border and onshore to manage biosecurity risks. Established
response plans are also in place to effectively manage
biosecurity pest detections,” says a DAW representative in a
statement. The stink bug is an invasive pest that attacks tree
fruits, berries, grapes, vegetables, corn, and ornamental plants.
If unchecked, they can take out entire crops and plantations.
—freshfruitportal.com
Global Vertical Farming Revenues
Predicted to Triple by 2023
The global vertical farming market is expected to grow
at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.76 per
cent between 2018 and 2023 to reach a market size of
US$7.46 billion. That’s up more than $5 billion from a
market size of US$2.29 billion in 2017. Vertical farming
is the urban agricultural
practice of growing food
crops in vertical stacked
layers, vertically inclined
surfaces, or integrated
within other structures, like
patios. The big benefits of
vertical farming include
increased crop production,
efficient resource use, and
protection of crops from
harsh climatic conditions.
Higher demand for
pesticide-free food is also
a main driver. Rising global
population, along with the
growing need for increased
food production with less
dependency on climatic
conditions, is augmenting
the demand for vertical
farming. Experts are
calling for vertical
farming to continue
its upward growth.
—globenewswire.com
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