To Our Readers

All insect pest control programmes currently releasing sterile insects use radioisotope irradiators using either 60 Cobalt or 137 Caesium for gamma sterilization. This technology has proven to be extremely reliable for this purpose. However, the current situation regarding the growing complexities of the transboundary shipment of radioiso-topes and the fear of terrorism (in particular of a 'dirty bomb') is increasingly presenting problems regarding the reloading of existing sources, the acquisition of new sources, and their shipment to Member States. In mid 2006 Nordion, one of the major producers of radioisotope irradiators, announced that it will no longer produce, replenish and market the Gammacell 220, the source most commonly used for insect irradiation. Not only will these sources be disconnected , but also most of the IAEA procurement requests for Gammacell 220s for various technical cooperation projects will not be honoured. This has placed us in a difficult position in relation to these Member States that have been waiting for their radiation sources.