Solomons Allocates Over $200,000 To Fighting Invasive Snails
African giant snail currently found in Honiara, Guadalcanal

By Elliot Dawea

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, Dec. 17, 2012) – The war against the invasive African giant snail will be waged next year with SB$1.5 million [US$202,650] in support from the Solomon Islands government.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Frank Wickham confirmed this when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee hearing.

He said his ministry has allocated SB$1.5million under its 2013 allocation for the Giant African Snail Eradication Project.

Wickham told the hearing they are doing all they can to contain the snail from spreading to other provinces.

The pest is currently seen mostly around Honiara and in parts of the Guadalcanal plains.

Wickham said his ministry has been fighting the snails through baiting, handpicking, and cleaning up areas where they have spread.

"We also carried out training and awareness program at schools and the provinces and also inspect logging machines before they are shipped to the provinces."

The result of their containment program, he said, was that the snails were still contained in Honiara, Henderson, Foxwood, Okea, Guadalcanal plains, Ghoroboko and parts of East Guadalcanal.

"To date, there were not sightings in other provinces."

Wickham said they’ve signed an agreement with Solomon Islands Development Trust (SIDT) to assist in the eradication program.

This agreement is worth SB$400,000 [US$54,040].

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