Mock canker exercise helps NSW prepare

Mock canker exercise helps NSW prepare

25 October 2018

A mock citrus canker exercise held in NSW on Wednesday helped highlight where the State would need to boost resources and capacity to adequately respond to an outbreak, according to Citrus Australia CEO Nathan Hancock.

Citrus Australia took part in ‘Exercise Orange Juice’ – a discussion-based exercise held in Griffith, NSW, by NSW’s Department of Primary Industries and Local Land Services (LLS).

Nathan, who has been involved with the response to the detection of citrus canker in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, said Exercise Orange Juice highlighted how the State should build capacity in terms of staff training and data management systems.

“I stressed how industry must be brought into the response as quickly as possible, we bring a range of expertise and knowledge that can assist the response to achieve its aims.”

There has never been a detection of citrus canker in New South Wales but in light of the recent incursion in the NT and WA, the government bodies believed it timely to review and evaluate NSW emergency response plans, preparedness and response capacity.

Plant Health Australia, Auscitrus, Nursery & Garden Industry Australia, NSW Farmers and new National Citrus Surveillance Coordinator, Jeff Milne, also participated on behalf of industry.