Ministry ups ante on pest control

Provincial and municipal authorities have been told to strengthen coastal and border inspections to prevent the spread of invasive plants and insects.

Inspection stations will be increased from the current 2,000-plus to 3,000 in a bid to contain pests that harm the country's corn and fruit crops, under a new Ministry of Agriculture guideline.

"Invasive insects and plants have come across the border and are rampant in some regions. They are endangering our agricultural product safety and posing a great threat to the global competitiveness of our farming sector," the guideline said.