Technology from Israel will help growers in other Middle East countries to eradicate the Mediterranean fruit fly.
The UN International Atomic Energy Agency - in charge of international pest control at the UN - is reported in the Israeli press to have chosen an Israeli company called Bio-Bee to lead its Middle East programme. The agency has launched Bio-Fly jointly with the Israeli firm to produce neutered make Mediterranean fruit flies.
An $800,000 plant is due to be built at Sde Eliahu to produce and then neuter the flies using irradiation carried out by a medical centre in Jerusalem.
Once irradiated the flies can then be dispersed across orchards from aircraft in the region and fruit fly populations should start to show a significant decline in about five years.
Bio-Bee's natural predator products are already used in capsicum, strawberry, cucumber and tomato production in Israel.
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