60 mins
National
CitrusWatch is pleased to release the 2022-2023 Activity Report which showcases the program’s achievements over the past year.
A collaboration between Plant Health Australia (PHA), Citrus Australia, the Northern Territory Department of Industry Tourism and Trade, and Cesar Australia, the program is a national citrus biosecurity and surveillance program that extends across commercial production zones, to highdensity, urban and peri-urban regions.
Key activities focused on education, engagement and collaboration, with notable highlights including:
- Extensive nationwide surveillance involving the deployment of 1,252 Asian citrus psyllid traps and targeted surveys of 18 orchards and 30 urban and peri-urban sites.
- Launch of the CitrusWatch Biosecurity Online Training (BOLT) course.
- Development of awareness material such as newsletters, mascots and factsheets to support improved citrus biosecurity.
- Continued collaboration with the Citrus Pathology Laboratory at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute for screening of budsticks for exotic pathogens.
- Hosting of a two-week industry study tour to California and Florida and participation in a study tour to citrus orchards in Indonesia.
- Commencement of a PhD on Australian psyllids associated with citrus orchards, through LaTrobe University and Agriculture Victoria Research.
These achievements are testament to the dedication of the partner organisations, volunteers and supporters, ensuring a resilient future for the citrus industry.
Visit the Citrus Australia website for more information on the program.