Australia: Northern Territory will not destroy citrus plants yet

Despite an eighth case of citrus canker disease being detected, authorities in the Northern Territory have ruled out the widespread destruction of citrus plants to protect the industry. The latest canker cases were found at Marrakai, south-east of Darwin, with more cases detected in WA at Kununurra and Wyndham along with the eight, in the Top End.

That has prompted major Queensland citrus grower Craig Pressler to this week call to protect the $750 million industry by immediately destroying all citrus trees in restricted and control areas in WA and the NT, and for owners to be compensated.

However the current restrictions - which had left fruit to rot because it could not be sold interstate - were sufficient and there was no need to destroy plants currently, NT Director for Biosecurity and Animal Welfare Sarah Corcoran said.

Those restrictions were relaxed this week with interstate access again provided. That is because all canker cases involve plants bought from a Darwin nursery that sells potted products. The disease was not naturally spreading and therefore does not threaten orchards producing fruit that ends up in Australia's supermarkets and grocers.

"There has still been no detection of citrus canker on any commercial citrus-growing properties in the Northern Territory," Ms Corcoran said. However, they are tracking 3000 citrus plants sold by the nursery that were moved interstate in the last 12 to 18 months.

As described on dailymail.co.uk, Citrus canker is a contagious bacterial disease that greatly affects the quality of fruits such as limes, lemons, citron, mandarins, oranges and grapefruit. The disease spreads rapidly in tropical climates by wind-blown rain.