Quarantine survey of some Torres Strait Islands in 1996

Sugarcane was inspected in local communities on Prince of Wales, Thursday, Badu, Mabuiag, Boigu, Dauan and Saibai Islands in the Torres Strait region in July 1996. Significant first records were chlorotic streak (Dauan), Ramu streak (Boigu) and hybrid Saccharum material (Thursday, Boigu). Chilo terrenellus, a moth borer widespread in PNG, was again located in one of the northern islands (Dauan). Symptoms of a virus-like nature, and not previously known, were seen in sugarcane on Saibai Island. These pests or diseases are of quarantine significance. It is imperative that strict quarantine standards are maintained to ensure that pests and diseases endemic in PNG do not infest mainland Australia and undermine Australia's competitive advantage on world raw sugar markets.