Citrus canker quarantine extended to 2020
The Quarantine Area Notice for areas around Kununurra and Wyndham has been extended to 31 October 2020, meaning the restrictions on the movement of citrus plants and fruit will continue until this time.
There are no changes to the conditions of movement which were originally introduced in June last year after the destructive disease citrus canker was detected on three properties in the State’s north west.
Under the notice, areas covering a 50-kilometre radius around Kununurra and Wyndham are subject to controls on the movement of citrus fruit and plants, as well as equipment and machinery.
The Quarantine Areas will continue to be separated into Restricted Areas and Control Areas, with tighter movement conditions for the Restricted Areas. To find out if you are in a Control Area or Restricted Area, you can search in the interactive map online.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development staff carried out extensive surveillance across northern WA in 2018 and found no additional detections of the disease. As a result, the department announced in March this year that replanting of citrus in Restricted Areas could recommence.
Residents living in a Restricted Area who want to replant need to complete an authorisation form and submit it to the department for approval before purchasing citrus plants. Residents are required to keep the approved form and the purchase receipt for the plants until the area is no longer a Quarantine Area for citrus canker.
Obtaining a permit is a straightforward process and allows the department to trace plants and continue surveillance for citrus canker to ensure the disease is not present.
As part of the permit conditions, residents who replant will need to inspect their plants once a month and report any unusual signs to the department using the MyPestGuide app, or by contacting the Pest and Disease Information Service on (08) 9368 3080 or at padis@dpird.wa.gov.au
Department inspectors will continue to undertake surveillance work to gather data to prove the area is free from citrus canker. More information on the conditions for replanting and the citrus canker authorisation to replant form can be found on the department’s website.