The cocoa-pod borer disease that threatens the country's million kina cocoa industry had remained undetected for three years.

The disease had been present in Aitape since 2003, according to West Sepik Provincial Program Advisor for Agriculture and Livestock, Clement Tumana.

Mr. Tumana said only after the detection of the disease in East New Britain in June this year that its presence in West Sepik also became known.

Mr. Tumana said during an emergency meeting between officials of the National Agricultural and Quarantine Inspections Authority (NAQIA), PNG Cocoa and Coconut Institute, PNG Cocoa Board and East New Britain cocoa-pod borer Emergency Coordinator, Hosea Tubarat, in Vanimo.

Mr. Tumana said it is feared the disease may have now spread to Lumi as most of the block holders at the Poro Cocoa Resettlement Scheme come from there, but this is yet to be confirmed.

These fears are heightened by the fact that there is little control on the movement of people across the PNG-Indonesia border, on many occassions transporting animals and plants.

Provincial Administrator Joseph Sungi said 80 percent of Sandaun's population depended on cocoa to generate income.

He said the meeting was important to deliberate on the cocoa-pod borer in Aitape and work on operational plans to contain it.

Provincial Agriculture Advisor Mr. Tumana said the cocoa-pod borer is believed to have been introduced by a block holder from Jayapura, Indonesia by bringing in infected cocoa pods and plantings.

His block was first infested and then started spreading to all 95 blocks by 2006, it was discovered after reports of the outbreak in East New Britain.

Block-holders had not reported the case due to beliefs of curses by landowners.

Meanwhile, East Sepik Acting Provincial Administrator John Alman said his administration is working on migration strategies to prevent the spread of the disease to his province.