Interstate trading partners have taken steps to restrict movement of citrus canker hosts (including fruit, plants and plant material) from the Northern Territory as a temporary measure to minimise any risk of spread, following the suspected detection of Citrus Canker.
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The Department of Primary Industry and Resources continues to work closely with industry and the community to manage the risk of citrus canker and to eradicate the disease.
The Northern Territory Farmers Association have established a reference group of Top End citrus grower who met earlier yesterday in Darwin to discuss requirements for movement restriction on citrus plants and fruit outside the Northern Territory.
DPIR’s chief plant health officer Sarah Corcoran said “Our domestic trading partners are introducing movement control orders to prevent the spread of Citrus Canker, caused by the bacterium, Xanthomanas citri subsp. citri which can affect all citrus plants.”
“These measures are necessary to protect the national industry and we expect they will be temporary whilst we develop surveillance and treatment protocols that will allow trade of Northern Territory citrus to re-establish as quickly as possible.”
“The citrus industry is valued at over $724 million at the farm gate nationally and we have a responsibility to protect the industry and to limit the spread of citrus canker.”
“A number of citrus plants have shown signs of infection and were removed from nurseries in Darwin and Palmerston.”
“Surveillance and testing for citrus canker is continuing and tracing of the disease is a priority of the department.”
“While there are no restrictions on local trade we are asking our growers and local market persons to restrict movement of citrus fruit, plant and plant material in the greater Darwin area.”
“We are asking all Territorians with citrus plants to please check them for symptoms, not to move the plants and to contact the department if you think the plant may be infected with the disease.”
If you think you have a plant with citrus canker you can submit your photos and contact details via the new online form https://dpir.nt.gov.au/citrus-canker or contact the citrus canker hotline on 1800 931 722 or email citruscanker@nt.gov.au