Join Jacqui Mitchell and Ben Burchett for a webinar on urban biosecurity for backyard citrus and discover more about the role of CitrusWatch. With the rise in exotic pests and diseases, Australia’s vast urban citrus orchard could be harbouring problems that are going unrecognised. Jacqui will share information on high priority citrus pests and diseases including Asian citrus psyllid, African citrus psyllid and diseases such as Huánglóngbìng.
CitrusWatch is a collaborative, national program aimed at protecting Australian citrus by improving industry preparedness for key exotic pest threats. The program supports a volunteer-based, exotic pest early detector network within the citrus industry and urban growers, by providing access to training on the topics of biosecurity, exotic pest surveillance and identification. The program aims to ensure that Australia is better equipped to minimise the entry and spread of high priority pests.
Jacqui Mitchell is the Urban Biosecurity Coordinator at Citrus Australia. She engages with urban communities near major Ports of Entry in Southern Australia to raise biosecurity awareness and encourage monitoring of pests and diseases. She will address the concerning citrus problems affecting or threatening Australia’s crop. Jacqui is a member of HMAA and based in Victoria.
Ben Burchett is the CitrusWatch Surveillance & Engagement Officer for Northern Australia. Based in the NT government, Ben coordinates sticky trapping and targeted surveys across Northern Australia and works to raise biosecurity awareness.
Details
Title Urban citrus biosecurity and CitrusWatch
Speakers Jacqui Mitchell, Citrus Australia and Ben Burchett, NT Government
Date and time Wednesday, March 12, 1:00pm (AEDT), 12:30pm (SA), 11:30 (NT), 10:00am (WA)
Duration 30 minutes plus questions
More information CitrusWatch – Northern Region https://daf.nt.gov.au/biosecurity/citruswatch; CitrusWatch – Southern Region https://citrusaustralia.com.au/citruswatch/
The webinar is free and will be recorded.
