Diyala: The Diyala Agriculture Directorate announced a decision prohibiting the transfer of date palm seedlings within the governorate after cases of date palm weevil infestation were recorded in several areas of the governorate.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Director of Media at the Diyala Agriculture Directorate, Muhammad al-Mandlawi, informed that date palm orchards in some areas of Diyala have witnessed infestations of the red palm weevil. Specialized field teams have been formed to contain the infestations through preventive methods approved to combat this insect, which effectively leads to the death of date palm trees.

He further stated that a decision was made in coordination with the Agricultural Committee in the Diyala Provincial Council to prohibit the movement of date palm seedlings within the governorate or their entry from neighboring governorates. This measure aims to limit the spread of the red palm weevil to new orchards.