Citrus industry squeeze biosecurity issues

The Prime Minister recently announced the federal election will be held on 21 August. With less than a month until polling day, all parties are actively campaigning to the Australian community; fervently promoting policies their prospective party will administer if successful at the booths. Throughout the next few weeks, Citrus Australia will also be undertaking a lobbying effort targeting issues that affect the sustainability of their industry. In a Citrus Australia media release circulated last Tuesday, they have listed quarantine and biosecurity as critical to the sustainability of their industry. Key biosecurity points are:

• Commit to improving biosecurity and quarantine systems that increase the competitiveness and ensure the ongoing viability of the Australian citrus industry.
• Support increased training and surveillance for exotic and endemic pests.
• Support increased awareness and education.
• Support information and analysis obtained from pre-border, border and post-border biosecurity activities be made available for use by state and territory governments, industry and research organisations.
• Enhance government funding for activities which support biosecurity related technical market access.
• Support the implementation of the national fruit fly strategy.

Biosecurity is a critical issue for the citrus industry if they are to sustain their market access. A number of our fruit fly projects are co-funded by Horticulture Australia. These projects will provide benefits for the citrus industry, such as improved lures for trapping fruit flies, as well as a dynamic trapping system which will provide more cost-effective surveillance of fruit fly.

Through our current activities and future research (if our rebid is successful), we will continue to provide innovative R&D solutions which will enable the citrus industry to remain healthy and competitive in the market.

A copy of the Citrus Australia media release is available on their website.