CitrusWatch
In recognition of emerging global biosecurity threats to agriculture, the Australian citrus industry are investing in a national biosecurity program, CitrusWatch, which will run until 2026.
A collaboration between Plant Health Australia, Citrus Australia, the Northern Territory Department of Industry Tourism and Trade, and Cesar Australia, Citrus Watch extends its reach from commercial production zones, to high-density, high-risk, high traffic urban and peri-urban regions. The program supports a volunteer-based, exotic pest early detector network both within the citrus industry and throughout the general public, and provides access to training on the topics of biosecurity, exotic pest surveillance and identification.
The program aims to ensure that the Australian citrus industry is better equipped to minimise the entry and spread of high priority pests, such as Asian citrus psyllid, African citrus psyllid and diseases such as huánglóngbìng. It works with biosecurity agencies, biosecurity programs in other industries, and research and extension programs to support the program vision:
The Australian citrus industry remains free of harmful High Priority Pests, retains access to key markets through access to robust surveillance data, and long-term industry health is supported by the actions of informed, aware and engaged industry members and general public.
CitrusWatch has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the citrus research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture. Funding is also supplied by Plant Health Australia using the citrus plant health levy.
Read more about CitrusWatch here.
To learn how you can get involved with CitrusWatch contact Jessica Lye: jessica.lye@citrusaustralia.com.au
Industry training
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Resources
Industry Biosecurity Plan
Citrus Australia, in partnership with Plant Health Australia, launched the Industry Biosecurity Plan for the Citrus Industry. This document outlines key threats to the industry, risk mitigation plans, identification and categorisation of exotic pests and contingency plans.
Biosecurity planning provides a mechanism for the citrus industry, government and other relevant stakeholders to assess current biosecurity practices and future biosecurity needs, identifying procedures that can be put in place to reduce the chance of pests reaching our borders, or minimise the impact of incursions.
Biosecurity Manual
Citrus Australia, in partnership with Plant Health Australia and Hort Innovation, launched the Biosecurity Manual for Citrus Producers.
The manual highlights simple orchard biosecurity practices that will help growers keep their property free from new pests, diseases and weeds.
It also describes the symptoms and appearance of exotic pest threats to the citrus industry to give the best chance that any incursion into Australia is quickly detected and controlled.
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