CRI Citrus Biosecurity - SANA 26June2025.pptx

Mission: Protecting the southern African citrus industry through timely identification of biosecurity threats, the development of preparedness, awareness, early detection, rapid response and impact mitigation plans and ensuring effective application of the associated actions

Four pillars of Biosecurity
Preparedness: get the plans in place
Operations: effective roll-out of plans (surveillance, containment, eradication)
Awareness + stakeholder engagement: effective communication of plans
Citrus Improvement Scheme: starting clean is the first line of defence

Stakeholders
Primary stakeholder: the citrus growers (CGA)
NPPOs, national and provincial departments of Agriculture
Biosecurity service providers
Research collaborators
Citrus and retail nurseries

1. Paul Fourie Citrus Research International Citrus Biosecurity

2. Citrus in southern Africa Largest fruit farming sector in RSA 55% of fruit farming area (>100-thousand ha) Export-driven 2 nd largest exporter of citrus fruit in the world Citrus comprise 61% of RSA’s fresh fruit exports R30-billion export revenue p.a. (2.8% of SA’s GDP) Employs 15% of people working in RSA’s agriculture sector 140-thousand of 930-thousand jobs > 1-million people dependant on the citrus industry for their livelihoods Drivers of success, sustainability and global competitiveness: Science, Market Access and Citrus Biosecurity

3. Citrus Biosecurity – global overview Historical pest / disease incursions led to major economic losses, due to tree death/decline , yield loss , increased production cost and/or lost markets Citrus tristeza virus … Citrus Canker … Fruit flies … Citrus Variegated Chlorosis … Citrus Sudden Death … African Citrus Greening … Citrus Black Spot … Biggest threat is Huanglongbing (HLB, Asian Citrus Greening)!!! “Where HLB moves in, Citrus moves out!” HLB is spreading globally…

4. The HLB threat is real !!! Graphics by Glynnis Cook Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) Diaphorina citri Candidatus ‘ Liberibacter asiaticus’ ( CLas )

5. Citrus biosecurity in southern Africa The southern African citrus industry has a remarkable history of organisation and visionary planning In 1926, citrus growers formed the South African Citrus Exchange (SACCE), to secure the future of the industry Today… Citrus Research International (CRI) Research and technical service provider to southern African citrus industry Not-for-profit Market Access + Biosecurity focus

6. CRI’s Biosecurity strategic framework Mission: Protecting the southern African citrus industry through timely identification of biosecurity threats, the development of preparedness, awareness, early detection, rapid response and impact mitigation plans and ensuring effective application of the associated actions Four pillars of Biosecurity Preparedness : get the plans in place Operations : effective roll-out of plans (surveillance, containment, eradication) Awareness + stakeholder engagement : effective communication of plans Citrus Improvement Scheme : starting clean is the first line of defence Stakeholders Primary stakeholder: the citrus growers (CGA) NPPOs, national and pr ovincial departments of Agriculture Biosecurity service providers Research collaborators Citrus and retail nurseries

7. Starting clean is the first line of defense! South African Citrus Improvement Scheme Promulgation as compulsory statutory scheme under the Plant Improvement Act is imminent All citrus trees sold in RSA must be made with CIS-certified propagation material Promote the CIS in southern Africa Safe and biosecure citrus development in neighbouring countries HLB Safe System for production of citrus trees in insect-secure nurseries Adopted as part of RSA’s HLB Action Plan Promote “safe citrus” in the retail sector

8. CRI Citrus Foundation Block Biosecure production of certified citrus propagation material (rootstock seed and scion budwood) “The birthplace of Citrus in southern Africa”

9. Role of retail nursery sector Awareness Educating nurseries and the general public Biosecurity legislation “Do not bring illegal plant material into the country” How to grow citrus in home gardens Report suspicious symptoms… Compliance to biosecurity control measures and legislation Compulsory statutory Citrus Improvement Scheme All citrus trees sold in RSA must be made with CIS-certified propagation material Agricultural Pest Act’s Regulation 110 Restricted movement of Citrus , Choisya , Fortunella , Murraya , Poncirus , and any cross thereof

10. Regulation 110 No movement of Citrus , Choisya , Fortunella , Murraya , Poncirus budwood/trees/plants from areas where Citrus Greening and/or Citrus Black Spot diseases occur ( orange/ red areas on maps ) to pest-free areas ( green areas )

11. Regulation 110 (updated 2025) African Citrus Greening detected in Knysna, East London and Gqeberha Buffer zones declared to contain and control Greening No keeping of infected trees (mandatory removal) No movement of Citrus , Choisya , Fortunella , Murraya , Poncirus budwood/plants from Citrus Greening buffer zones to pest-free areas Official orders issued, but prioritized to landowners likely to move propagation material (nurseries and tree resellers)

12. African Greening buffer zone: Knysna

13. African Greening buffer zone: East London

14. African Greening buffer zone: Gqeberha

15. African Greening buffer zone: Gqeberha

16. Road ahead..? Closer working relationship between CRI and SANA Awareness (nurseries and public) Surveillance Compliance Control measures Awareness materials How to grow citrus in nurseries How to grow citrus in home gardens Pest and disease control measures Technical support Expert scientists and extension officers

17. Thank you! Please contact us… www.cri.co.za [email protected]