Diagnostic and Surveillance Training (Jul 28th – 30th) Workshop on Citrus Canker, (Xanthomonas citri)

The Caribbean Plant Health Directors (CPHD) Forum as part of capacity building and safeguarding Initiatives for the priority pest of mutual concern is hosting, virtually, a Diagnostic and Surveillance Training Course on Citrus Canker (Xanthomonas citri) from July 28th to July 30th.

The course is being attended by representatives of the Ministry/Department of Agriculture from more than 15 Caribbean countries and is a collaborative effort between the Caribbean Plant Health Directors Forum (CPHD) and the University of Florida with funding provided by the Greater Caribbean Safeguarding Initiative (GCSI).

By knowing the regions’ pest status for Citrus Canker, assessing its risk and pathway, increasing the regional technical capacity to prevent its entry and still enable safe trade through the PRA process which can offer less restrictive entry requirements, and developing inspection protocols – can all be valuable tools to both the US and the Greater Caribbean Region, with respect to trade and safeguarding.

The main objective of the course is to strengthen the technical capacity of plant health personnel in the region, in the key diagnostic features/tests, detection tools, surveillance methodologies and management options for the bacterium Xanthomonas citri which causes citrus canker.

Here are some photos from Day 1 of the training: