Citrus canker declared eradicated in Queensland
Published Friday, 23 January, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Emerald has been officially declared free of citrus canker as of today – four and a half years after the plant disease was first detected in June 2004.
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said the declaration comes just weeks after Queensland was declared free from Equine Influenza.
Mr Mulherin said: “Getting the all-clear on two devastating diseases within a month is great news for Queensland.
“It shows we have the expertise and ability to handle serious biosecurity threats,” Mr Mulherin said.
The National Management Group (NMG), made up of federal, and affected state/territory and industry representatives, has accepted a recommendation from the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests that Emerald be officially declared free of citrus canker.
That declaration takes effect today.
Mr Mulherin said: “Citrus canker has had a crippling effect on Emerald citrus growers, associated businesses and the Emerald community since it was first detected in June 2004.
“After living with citrus canker and its associated quarantine restrictions for so long, growers and the community finally have something to celebrate.
“The declaration means the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) can lift all restrictions placed on the movement of citrus and other host material into, within, and out of the Emerald Pest Quarantine Area (PQA).
“The lifting of quarantine restrictions means a return to normality - all citrus plants, fruit, planting material and equipment can now move freely in and out of Emerald.
“However, we cannot be complacent. The citrus canker experience should always serve as a reminder to producers of the importance of the early reporting of suspect pests and diseases, and the use of strict on-farm biosecurity practices.”
There is no known cure for this serious disease which causes lesions on citrus leaves, stems and fruit, and results in a significant reduction in fruit quality and quantity.
Mr Mulherin said the declaration followed a successful eradication and disease freedom verification program carried out by the department.
“DPI&F and its national cost sharing partners have invested millions of dollars in painstaking eradication and surveillance measures to ensure the success of the National Citrus Canker Eradication Program,” he said.
“I am proud of the continued effort and the dedication of Biosecurity officers involved in the eradication program.
“All this effort ensures a stable, sustainable and bright future for Queensland’s citrus industry, which is worth more than $90 million per year to the state.
“There were nearly half a million commercial citrus trees in the Emerald region before citrus canker. Growers can now rebuild which will boost the local economy and create jobs,” Mr Mulherin said
After the disease was detected in a commercial citrus orchard near Emerald in June 2004, DPI&F immediately took steps to quarantine, control and eradicate the disease on the infected property.
Further surveillance confirmed the disease had been contained to the Emerald Pest Quarantine Area (PQA).
By 1 January 2006, all high-risk plants capable of harboring the disease had been destroyed, including about:
• 490,000 commercial citrus trees
• 4,000 residential trees
• 150,000 native citrus plants.
The area was kept free of citrus for a further 18 months to ensure that no remaining bacteria could cause ongoing infection.
This was followed by another 18 month period during which only commercial citrus growers could re-plant their orchards. These were inspected at three month intervals to verify that the disease had been eradicated.
About 190,000 trees have been replanted in the area over the past 18 months. Some citrus is expected to start moving from the area in the next few months but it will be sometime before these trees reach full production.
For more information on citrus canker and the declaration call DPI&F on 13 25 23 or visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au.
Media: Mark Symons 32396530
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said the declaration comes just weeks after Queensland was declared free from Equine Influenza.
Mr Mulherin said: “Getting the all-clear on two devastating diseases within a month is great news for Queensland.
“It shows we have the expertise and ability to handle serious biosecurity threats,” Mr Mulherin said.
The National Management Group (NMG), made up of federal, and affected state/territory and industry representatives, has accepted a recommendation from the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests that Emerald be officially declared free of citrus canker.
That declaration takes effect today.
Mr Mulherin said: “Citrus canker has had a crippling effect on Emerald citrus growers, associated businesses and the Emerald community since it was first detected in June 2004.
“After living with citrus canker and its associated quarantine restrictions for so long, growers and the community finally have something to celebrate.
“The declaration means the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) can lift all restrictions placed on the movement of citrus and other host material into, within, and out of the Emerald Pest Quarantine Area (PQA).
“The lifting of quarantine restrictions means a return to normality - all citrus plants, fruit, planting material and equipment can now move freely in and out of Emerald.
“However, we cannot be complacent. The citrus canker experience should always serve as a reminder to producers of the importance of the early reporting of suspect pests and diseases, and the use of strict on-farm biosecurity practices.”
There is no known cure for this serious disease which causes lesions on citrus leaves, stems and fruit, and results in a significant reduction in fruit quality and quantity.
Mr Mulherin said the declaration followed a successful eradication and disease freedom verification program carried out by the department.
“DPI&F and its national cost sharing partners have invested millions of dollars in painstaking eradication and surveillance measures to ensure the success of the National Citrus Canker Eradication Program,” he said.
“I am proud of the continued effort and the dedication of Biosecurity officers involved in the eradication program.
“All this effort ensures a stable, sustainable and bright future for Queensland’s citrus industry, which is worth more than $90 million per year to the state.
“There were nearly half a million commercial citrus trees in the Emerald region before citrus canker. Growers can now rebuild which will boost the local economy and create jobs,” Mr Mulherin said
After the disease was detected in a commercial citrus orchard near Emerald in June 2004, DPI&F immediately took steps to quarantine, control and eradicate the disease on the infected property.
Further surveillance confirmed the disease had been contained to the Emerald Pest Quarantine Area (PQA).
By 1 January 2006, all high-risk plants capable of harboring the disease had been destroyed, including about:
• 490,000 commercial citrus trees
• 4,000 residential trees
• 150,000 native citrus plants.
The area was kept free of citrus for a further 18 months to ensure that no remaining bacteria could cause ongoing infection.
This was followed by another 18 month period during which only commercial citrus growers could re-plant their orchards. These were inspected at three month intervals to verify that the disease had been eradicated.
About 190,000 trees have been replanted in the area over the past 18 months. Some citrus is expected to start moving from the area in the next few months but it will be sometime before these trees reach full production.
For more information on citrus canker and the declaration call DPI&F on 13 25 23 or visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au.
Media: Mark Symons 32396530