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As we experienced with the Taro Leaf Blight outbreak in the 1990s, the introduction of exotic pests or diseases into Samoa can have disasterous effects on our people and on our economy. We learned much from the Taro Leaf Blight outbreak, not the least being that it is important that we are better prepared to managed such an exotic pest incursion to prevent it spreading, and to eradicate it before it has time to become established anywhere on our islands. The Emergency Response Plan outlined in this document has been prepared as a part of the Ministry of Agriculture, Foresty, Fisheries and Meteorology's efforts to strengthen our overall biosecurity, from our border control, to our surveillance capability, and on to our ability to respond quickly in effectively eradicating an exotic pest. This Plan is a guide for us to carry out an Emergency Response, outlining the management structures and operational steps we need to take to implement a successful eradication or control programme.

This Report reviews existing laws that are relevant to the regulation and management of invasive alien species. The Report identifies potential legislative gaps, omissions contained in these legislations. There is a clarification of the extent in which invasive alien species control measures take precedence over, or are subordinate to other relevant legal instruments of government. Finally, the Report makes recommendations1 as to appropriate management mechanism to (i) prevent accidental or intentional introduction of invasive species, (ii) minimise accidental or intentional spread of invasive species within Vanuatu and (iii) co-ordinate invasive species awareness and local prevention and control efforts.