Published on Monday, 28 May 2018 at 1:52:50 PM
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has taken action to protect Western Australia’s citrus growers from the threat of citrus canker following confirmation that the disease has been detected on three properties in the State's north, linked to plants imported from the Northern Territory.
The disease has been detected at two retail businesses at Kununurra and at a property in Wyndham.
All citrus crops can be affected by citrus canker, including:
- lime
- lemon
- citron
- mandarin
- orange
- grapefruit
In order to reduce the risk of the disease spreading and ultimately eradicate it, the department has declared two Quarantine Areas that restrict the movement of citrus canker host plants and any parts of those plants, including the fruit.
These Quarantine Areas include Kununurra and Wyndham, as well as a 50km radius surrounding each town.
Under the requirements of the Quarantine Area Notice, no citrus fruit, plants or parts of plants can be moved outside the Quarantine Areas. People are also encouraged to restrict the movement of plants and machinery within the Quarantine Areas as much as possible. This will help reduce the chance that the disease will spread.
Citrus canker does not affect human health or animals, and infected fruit remains safe to be eaten. As the disease exists on the surface of the fruit, it is important that any fruit waste, whether whole or in part, is disposed of correctly. There is no requirement to treat the waste before it is thrown out, and it can be disposed of in household bins. This disposal must take place within the Quarantine Areas.
If you’re travelling through Kununurra or Wyndham, you need to be prepared to dispose of citrus fruit waste before leaving the Quarantine Area. Fruit can be peeled prior to leaving the Quarantine Areas, but any waste must be disposed of within the Quarantine Areas.
As there may not be opportunities to dispose of the waste near the boundary of the Quarantine Areas, please dispose of any citrus waste as early as possible.
More details on the Quarantine Areas, including a map, are available on the department website.
Plants with suspect symptoms must not be moved and should be reported to the department’s Pest and Disease Information Service on (08) 9368 3080 or padis@dpird.wa.gov.au, or via the department’s MyPestGuide ReporterTM app.
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