Seminar on the threat of Huanglongbing disease to the Near East and Mediterranean Citrus production
The seminar on Huanglongbing Citrus disease was organized by NEPPO and Regional and subregional Office of FAO with collaboration of COSAVE and ONSSA in Agadir (Morocco, November 01/13).
The seminar was delivered in Arabic with English presentations. More than 48 participants attended the workshop from 16 countries. Five presentations were presented (Annex 1).
Pablo CORTESE presented an overview of the disease in the COSAVE region, symptoms, vector and phytosanitary measures implemented to face the disease and its vector. NEPPO, on behalf of OIRSA, presented the status of HLB in OIRSA region Dr Hani AbdelRahman ALTUWIRIGI presented the status of HLB in Saudia Arabia Dr. Estrella Hernandez Suárez (Instituto Canario de Investigaciones Agrarias. Canarias Islands. Espagne) presented the status of Trioza erytreae in Iles Canaries and the phytosanitary measures implmeted within the Isles Dr María M. López (Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias. Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias. Espagne) made a presentation on the threat of HLB in the Mediterranean region The Huanglongbing Disease, one of the most damaging and important disease of citrus in the world, is caused by bacteria belonging to Candidatus Liberibacter (africanus, asiaticus and americanus). It is disseminated by two vectors: Diaphorina citri (Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus) and Trioza erytreae (C.L. afrianus). The disease has no cure and there is no resistance or tolerance identified yet.
The Mediterranean area and most of the Near East countries (except Iran, Saudia Arabia and Yemen) are free from the disease and vectors.
Regarding the importance of the citrus production in the both area, most effort should be done to prevent the dissemination and introduction of the HLB and its vectors in the regions.
Each country should establish a contingency plan and surveillance. However, as the disease and its vector "surround" (both in Iran, vector in Iles Canaries) the region and do not recognize any borders, it is recommended
more regional coordination, to prepare and implement an early detection program and to establish a regional network on HLB.
Type: Seminar