A revised Response Plan for citrus canker (Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri) was endorsed on 8 November 2019 by the National Management Group (NMG).
The Response Plan builds upon the outcomes achieved under the previous plan, including the demonstration of freedom from citrus canker in Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.
This is a significant step towards reinstating country freedom status from the disease and the approved Response Plan outlines activities aimed at successfully eradicating citrus canker from the Northern Territory by the end of 2020, and reinstating country freedom status from the disease.
The total cost share budget for eradication remains at $18.7 million. All affected government and industry parties contribute to the cost of the response.
No natural spread of the disease has been observed, nor has it been detected in any commercial citrus orchards.
The noteworthy efforts of all parties involved in the response, particularly the Northern Territory as the lead jurisdiction and the collaboration with industry, was commended by all NMG members present.
The NMG for Citrus Canker is comprised of the Australian Government, the Northern Territory and all State Governments, Plant Health Australia, Citrus Australia and the Nursery and Garden Industry Australia.
Citrus canker was detected in Darwin, Northern Territory, and subsequently in northern Western Australia, in April 2018.
If you think you have a plant with citrus canker, or if you have recently sourced citrus plants from the Northern Territory or northern Western Australia, please contact the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.