There has been another citrus canker detection.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This time the find came as a result of tracing back by the citrus canker emergency response team.
Northern Territory chief plant health officer Dr Anne Walters said the latest detection in Wanguri (Darwin) is directly linked to the original infected property, and was identified due to the tracing work being undertaken as part of the response.
“All the infected plants discovered to date are nursery stock that was sold in the last 12 months, which is great news as there is still no evidence to suggest that there has been any natural spread of the disease,” Dr Walters said.
The infected plant and another potted lime plant have been removed from the property under strict quarantine conditions by authorised citrus canker inspectors.
Katherine is already under a control order.
Residents who live in the Cossack restricted area have recently been contacted regarding the removal of their citrus plants.
Residents living within the restricted area should not move plants or plant material as this may spread the citrus canker disease. The removal will be undertaken by authorised inspectors in accordance with required quarantine disposal processes.
Residents have been instructed to remove of citrus plants and plant materials, including fruit, leaves and pots from restricted areas, starting with the Katherine (Cossack) region and Darwin.
“Residents living within the new Wanguri restricted area will soon be contacted by the emergency response team, and surveillance officers will begin visiting properties within the restricted area to conduct inspections and ensure there has been no spread of the disease,” Dr Walters said.
“We encourage anyone living in the restricted area who has citrus plants to contact the citrus canker hotline, and remind people not to move their plants themselves.”
The new restricted area does not impact any commercial citrus growing areas.
The citrus canker response recently entered a new phase, which has seen removal of citrus plants and plant materials, including fruit, leaves and pots from restricted areas commence, starting within the greater Darwin and Katherine region.
“The community has been extremely cooperative and we really appreciate the efforts people have gone to in contacting the response team to arrange for the removal of their plants,” Dr Walters said.
“It is important that we all work together to eradicate this devastating disease from the Northern Territory to help protect local and interstate growers.”
There are now 12 citrus canker restricted areas in the Northern Territory – 11 in greater Darwin and one in Katherine.
If you think you live within a restricted area and have not been contacted by the citrus canker emergency response team please call the citrus canker hotline on 1800 931 722.
Citrus canker does not affect human health or animals, and infected fruit remains safe to be consumed.