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In the Southeast of the Iberian Peninsula lies the largest traditional date-palm (Phoenix dactylifera) cultivation area, at the northern limit of this species in the western Mediterranean. Large palm groves extended traditionally around Elche, Orihuela, Albatera, and Abanilla with smaller groves scattered in wadis, ravines, or watered gardens from Almeria to Castellón. Around and within the city of Elche (Comunidad Valenciana) grow over 250,000 palm trees, belonging to different local cultivars. Most of them show morphological likeness to different north-African cultivars such as 'Medjool' or 'Deglet Nour'. However, the diversity is extremely high in terms of fruits, leaf shape and color, and stems, including minor local types. Furthermore, Phoenix iberica has been described as a wild species from the wadis near the sea. It has glaucous leaves, stout stems and small dates with thin flesh. It shows similarities to 'Medjool' or 'Barhee' cultivars in some vegetative characters, but its fruits are intermediate between those of Phoenix theophrastii and P. sylvestris. A group of cultivars well-known for its green leaves and small fruits, which normally ripen under the climate of SE Spain, has been described as Phoenix chevalierii. We are studying the diversity of date palms in Spain by nuclear microsatellite polymorphism, polymorphic ITS regions and chloroplast microsatellite patterns. Macro-and micro-morphological characters were studied using multivariate analysis techniques. Overall, these allow us to compare Phoenix dactylifera cultivars from Africa and the Near East, and related Phoenix species.

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The United Automobile Workers uses worker-trainers to deliver health and safety education training to its members. The union has experimented with worker-trainers participating in program evaluation. Worker-trainers participated in the design and conduct of a telephone survey of training impact, and of an on-site survey of trainee perceptions of a large-scale program. Worker evaluators were able to analyze data and give a highly successful presentation of results to trainees at the large-scale program. The incorporation of workers as evaluators is a key step toward the goal of worker empowerment. The involvement of program participants in their program's evaluation can enhance the quality and usefulness of work-site health and safety programs in general.

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It is possible to enhance a workplace health and safety training program through the introduction of ATT without compromising participant-centered, group learning program philosophies.

110 # 514 e/5ta B v 5ta F. P l a y . LA Habana (Cuba); e-mail: inisav@ceniar.in$cu; fax: (537) 240535 'Centro Nacional de Sanidad Vegeial (CNSV). La Habnna (Cuba)In Cuba, fruit-fly control is traditional and is sustained by phytosanitary regulations. Recent surveys have shown that Anastrepha obliquu and Anastrepha suspensa attack various fruits, especially guava and mango, whereas Toxoirypana curvicauda attacks papaya. New host plants are reported for Cuba: A. obliqua on coffee, peach and Pouteria sapota and A. suspensa on Spondias mombin and S. ciruela. Their occurrence was only occasional, and neither of these species was found on citrus. Populations of A. obliqua and A. suspensa were relatively low on guava and mango, occurring mostly in the months of May to September. Five causes are suggested for the relatively low incidence of fruit flies in Cuba: efficient natural regulation by Bracanastrepha anasirephae; predation of larvae by ants in the soil; high mortality of pupae because of surface soil temperature and generalist predators; the cropping system; and the phytosanitary control programme (with preventive approach). The results of the control programme are presented, especially for areas intended for fresh-fruit export.

To mitigate the movement of non-native organisms with trade, phytosanitary systems have been implemented within and between countries. In some countries such as Cuba, little is known about the within-state plant health system. To facilitate the development of future trade partnership between Cuba and the United States, agencies need to understand the organizational structure and diagnostic capacity of the Cuban Plant Protection System, identify potential synergies between the United States and Cuban systems, and identify steps towards cooperation. This paper fills this critical void by presenting a descriptive analysis of the plant health system in Cuba. Information was integrated from available literature, informal interviews with Cuban experts, and workshops focused on Cuban policies, risk, and potential collaboration attended by Cuban and American experts. We identify the next practical steps in improving cooperation, including building trust and capacity. Mutual understanding of phytosanitary systems will be crucial for the regional economic and environmental stability of a post-embargo United States-Cuban relationship.