Biosecurity officers have intercepted a number of fruit items at Australia’s borders which were found to be carrying a deadly citrus disease.
Head of Biosecurity with the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, Lyn O’Connell said the seized items had all tested positive for citrus canker disease.
“This is an example of the significant biosecurity risks that Australia faces and why it is so important to follow our biosecurity conditions,” Ms O’Connell said.
“Back in 2004, a citrus canker outbreak had a major impact on our million-dollar citrus industry and the disease has also caused extensive production losses in citrus industries overseas.”
She said the recent interceptions were particularly concerning given there was an ongoing national response plan to manage previous detections of the disease pathogens in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
“In the past few months, a passenger arrived at Brisbane Airport with one kilogram of limes and another brought dried citrus peel with them,” Ms O’Connell said.
“Biosecurity officers also intercepted dried whole citrus fruit that was imported, and all of these items were confirmed to be carrying the citrus canker pathogen,” she said.
“While Australia’s biosecurity officers and detector dogs do a great job, this is a valuable reminder that we need everyone to do their part and not bring or send prohibited items to Australia.”
She said that last year, more than 12,000 citrus fruits were intercepted at Australia’s international airports.
