As part of the biological surveillance of the territory, the department of biosecurity (DBS) regularly takes samples from the citrus plants present in our islands in order to detect the presence of harmful organisms. As part of missions to the Marquesas Islands, DBS and Department of Agriculture (DAG) agents carried out several thousand diagnostic tests. Some of these tests have proved positive, revealing that citrus plants in Nuku Hiva and Ua Huka are infected with the Citrus Tristeza virus (CTV).
Citrus Tristeza virus, transmitted by aphids, is a virus that attacks the Rutaceae family, including citrus fruits and kumquats. It is likely to cause tree death or reduced yield. Until now it was believed to be present in Tahiti, Moorea and the Leeward Islands.
The Ministerial Council takes this situation into account by classifying the islands of Ua Huka and Nuku Hiva as CTV-infested islands. These islands themselves are, however, classified as haunted islands subject to an official control program. This provision officially has the following legal effects:
– the transport of citrus plants and kumquats from the islands of Ua Huka and Nuku Hiva to CTV-free islands is prohibited;
– the transport of citrus and kumquat plants from an infected island to Ua Huka and Nuku Hiva remains prohibited.
These measures will prevent the circulation of the virus in the free islands and limit the worsening of the contamination in these two islands. At the same time, the country will issue a mandatory order against CTV in Ua Huka and Nuku Hiva. The recommended measures, already implemented by the DAG and the DBS, consist of carrying out diagnostic tests on all citrus plants and, if necessary, quarantining the plants suspected of being infected and destroying those known to be infested. The field trials, the implementation of an official control plan and the information of the population have been carried out and will continue to be carried out in close collaboration with the mayors of the islands concerned and the DAG offices.
