One of our favourite things about Cyprus is the oranges. A winter crop just hitting its stride despite a too dry summer and autumn. And easy to take for granted here as I note there are none in the house and go outside to pick a couple for breakfast. As J says like being able to step outside the door in northern Ontario and spot a small Christmas tree.
But orange trees are under threat and the threat is moving closer. A small insect known to transmit citrus greening disease (officially Huanglongbing) has been identified in the orchards of the Republic of Cyprus (South). The disease is deadly. It blocks nutrient flow through the citrus tree, eventually killing it. Florida has lost 90% of its orange production and the disease has already spread to Spain. If it develops in the South it will inevitably spread to the North of Cyprus. Pathogens are less respecters of borders than people are. Can only hope for concerted preventive action.
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