The Fijian Government has declared parts of Nakasi and Davuilevu, home to approximately 19,144 people in 5,299 households, as termite-infested areas. The announcement was made by Prime Minister and Minister for Public Enterprises, Sitiveni Rabuka, under the Biosecurity Act 2008. This move, which came after consultation with the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji and the National Disaster Management Council, sees the locations as a biosecurity emergency area for Asian Subterranean Termites for a period of six months from June 17.
According to the government notice, all stages of the Asian Subterranean Termites, including eggs and any material housing them, are strictly prohibited from being moved within or out of the area unless the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji grants advanced permission.
The termites are found in various items including soil, potted plants, timber, furniture, live plants, harvested crops (like pine, mango, cassava, coconut and sugarcane), and even objects made of cellulose (like books and textiles) that have been stored for some time. The notice also warned of penalties for those violating the terms set under sections 79(3) and 94 of the Biosecurity Act 2008.