Cyprus Mail 21 December 2024 - by Rebekah Gregoriades
Cyprus’ citrus trees may be wiped out if a sap-sucking bug thought to have found its way to the island last year through compost in travellers’ luggage, becomes infected with the citrus greening bacterium, the department of agriculture warned on Friday.
Growing concern that the devastating bacterium will enter Cyprus through the same route has spurred the department to launch a public awareness campaign, advising people to refrain from buying plants or plant products abroad and bringing them to the island.
The bug is capable of carrying the bacterium, through which the plants would be infected. It has not yet been located in Cyprus but the discovery of its vector makes it a threat.
“With the detection of the Asian citrus psyllid in Cyprus last year, the department of agriculture is on high alert to prevent the entry of the most devastating citrus disease worldwide, the citrus greening bacterium, commonly known as HLB,” Dr Anthemis Melifronidou Pantelidou said.
Pantelidou told the Cyprus Mail that “infected citrus plants will be destroyed within a three- to five-year period.”
She added that “the quality of fruit within this period will be severely downgraded.”
Thus, she said, “serious economic, social and environmental effects are expected in the citrus fruit producing industry and industry related to citrus fruit across the agrifood chain.”
“The extent of the spread of HLB and the damage will directly depend on the size of the ACP population and the implementation of the measures provided for in the contingency plan for HLB that has been drafted by the Department of Agriculture,” she said.
Pantelidou said that, “even though the Asian citrus psyllid is not known to cause severe damage to citrus orchards, it is listed as harmful organism according to the EU legislation as it is the main known vector of HLB.”
So far, HLB has not been detected in Cyprus or any other EU member state but Cyprus is the first EU country in which the psyllid has been found.
The psyllid moves from one citrus plant to another and through its feeding may become infected with HLB which is then passed on to healthy citrus plants.
In countries where HLB has been detected, such as Florida and Brazil, it has caused devastating effects to the cultivation of citrus.
HLB can enter a new territory if the Asian citrus psyllid is found in citrus planting material and “can quickly spread to other citrus trees, causing their ultimate destruction and dieback,” Pantelidou said.
“If HLB arrives in Cyprus, it will have devastating effects for our agriculture, economy and the environment,” she warned.
Citrus plants are found almost everywhere in Cyprus, from professional orchards to small citrus groves, in public parks, urban greenery and gardens. “They are an integral part of our culture and daily lives,” Pantelidou said.
“The presence of the Asian citrus psyllid in Cyprus marks the first presence of this harmful organism in the European community,” she added.
Pantelidou said that since its first detection, the department has employed an action plan aiming at its eradication.
“This includes a range of measures from chemical treatment to biological control”. In parallel, it has engaged in the close monitoring of citrus orchards and citrus trees planted in urban areas.
“With these measures, HLB has not as yet been detected and the department is continuing its efforts so Cyprus remains HLB free,” she said.
Pantelidou said EU legislation provides a solid foundation for keeping HLB from entering the bloc by prohibiting the import of citrus plants.
“Our importers are familiar with this restriction and, as all consignments of plants and plant products are notified through a European electronic platform, department of agriculture inspectors are on high alert to confirm that no citrus plants are included in consignments from third countries,” she added.
“Preventive measures aiming to keep harmful organisms from entering our territory are the key for a sustainable future of our citrus agrisector. The department strongly believes the Asian citrus psyllid entered Cyprus through citrus planting material with travellers’ luggage and seriously fears that HLB will enter Cyprus through the same route,” she said.
For this reason, the department has launched a public awareness campaign, calling on the public to refrain from buying plants, seeds, flowers, fruit and vegetables abroad and bringing them to Cyprus. The same applies for plants and plant products purchased online.
Μore information can be found at https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/plh4l
