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Sat May 28, 2005
No citrus plants or fruits to be allowed into the country
The Agriculture Ministry has issued a warning to travellers entering Jamaica not to bring any citrus fruits or plants into the island.
The move follows news that the plant bacterial disease Citrus Canker has re-emerged in the United States, particularly in Florida.
Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke says there are reports that the disease has also surfaced in the Bahamas.
Citrus Canker affects oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, tangerines and other citrus based fruits.
Mr. Clarke says if the disease is brought into the country, it could be devastating for the local citrus crop.
Citrus Canker causes scars on leaves, stems and fruits of citrus plants.
As a result tools such as knives used on affected plants should not be taken into the island as the disease can be transmitted in this way.
Affected fruits will prematurely fall and the tree will eventually die.
The minister says while the disease has not been found locally, precautionary measures are necessary to prevent this from happening.
The measures include thorough searches of passengers bags as well as confiscation and incineration of any citrus found.
Jamaica currently earns more than US$10,000,000.00 from the export of citrus.
No citrus plants or fruits to be allowed into the country
No citrus plants or fruits to be allowed into the country
The Agriculture Ministry has issued a warning to travellers entering Jamaica not to bring any citrus fruits or plants into the island.
The move follows news that the plant bacterial disease Citrus Canker has re-emerged in the United States, particularly in Florida.
Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke says there are reports that the disease has also surfaced in the Bahamas.
Citrus Canker affects oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, tangerines and other citrus based fruits.
Mr. Clarke says if the disease is brought into the country, it could be devastating for the local citrus crop.
Citrus Canker causes scars on leaves, stems and fruits of citrus plants.
As a result tools such as knives used on affected plants should not be taken into the island as the disease can be transmitted in this way.
Affected fruits will prematurely fall and the tree will eventually die.
The minister says while the disease has not been found locally, precautionary measures are necessary to prevent this from happening.
The measures include thorough searches of passengers bags as well as confiscation and incineration of any citrus found.
Jamaica currently earns more than US$10,000,000.00 from the export of citrus.
No citrus plants or fruits to be allowed into the country
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