Samoan authorities have lifted the temporary suspension of cut flower imports from American Samoa after concluding the U.S. territory has contained the spread of an invasive ant species.

In a public notice dated 14 July 2023 issued by Samoa's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (M.A.F.) which was issued by the Press Secretariat after 6 pm Monday, the Ministry advised that surveillance notification from the relevant authorities in American Samoa on the presence and spread of little fire ants [Wasmannia auropunctata] state that invasive ant species has been contained and controlled through treatment measures.

"The temporary suspension of import permits for cut flowers from American Samoa has been lifted subject to precautionary conditions," the M.A.F. public notice reads. "The suspension of import permits for nursery stock i.e. planting materials from American Samoa remains. 

"Further, the suspension of import permits for Hawaii and other countries with the presence of little fire ants remains in effect."

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the little fire ant was first detected in the territory in late 2018 with researchers warning that it "could disrupt ecosystems across American Samoa".

"Like the tropical fire ant, the little fire ant stings—and is a problem for people, pets and livestock. Additionally, its ability to forage and nest in a variety of areas could make agricultural production and even daily life difficult."

Therefore, if members of the public in Samoa plan on importing cut flowers from Pago Pago they will have to adhere to the following protocols in order to prevent the entry of the little fire ant into Samoa's borders: (a) Apply for a permit to import cut flowers from the Quarantine Division (b) Each consignment to be treated, inspected and certified by the American Samoa Department of Agriculture-Plant & Quarantine Service prior to import (c) Each consignment must be secured (i.e. made insect-proof) prior to shipment by one of the following methods: i. Enclosed cartons (goods must be packed in fully enclosed cartons that no ventilation holes and lids tightly fixed to the base). ii. Cartons with covered ventilation holes covered (ventilation holes must be covered with mesh/screen with an aperture no greater than 1.6mm or ventilation holes must be taped over). (d) All consignments will be subjected to quarantine procedural inspection upon arrival into Samoa and (e) If live insects of quarantine concern are detected, the consignment will require treatment, re-exported or disposed of at the importer’s expense.

"This public notice is made pursuant to sections 33 and 58 of the Quarantine (Biosecurity) Act 2005 and the Ministry’s efforts in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to monitor and prevent the introduction of the Little Fire Ants into Samoa.

"For more information, please contact the Ministry’s Quarantine Division on telephone number (685) 20924 or 22171 and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on 67200."

The last time the M.A.F. in Samoa introduced similar measures was in January 2019 when import permits for fresh flowers, nursery stocks and other planting materials were temporarily suspended, and all incoming cargo from American Samoa, Hawaii, New Caledonia, Tahiti, Guam, Wallis and Futuna, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands were sprayed with low-toxic insect sprays at all entry points in Samoa.