Warning to citrus growers over CBS compliance

Citrus Growers’ Association CEO Justin Chadwick has called on 2014 growers to ensure that they follow all the requirements in terms of citrus black spot (CBS) to the “T”. “Failure to do so could have devastating business consequences, including being excluded from the EU market,” he said. “If you have registered an orchard for the EU and for any reason you have concerns regarding the CBS status of the orchard then withdraw the orchard immediately,” he advises. “Failure to do so could mean an orchard “hit” and classification as a high risk PUC (and exclusion from the EU market).” The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is currently involved in orchard registration verification inspections. “DAFF is being very thorough in ensuring that appropriate treatment has been administered. Where a treatment has been deemed inappropriate, the orchard is not registered,” he said. All orchards on the 2013 black and alert list needed to apply for reinstatement, and DAFF will only reinstate if they are 100% happy that remedial action has been taken and that this action has been successful.