Citrus seedlings destroyed

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Quarantine authorities in Manokwari have destroyed more than 1,600 citrus seedlings known to carry a disease which threatens to spread in the province.

The seedlings have what they call citrus vien phloem dege (CVPD) disease, which is common in Java but still unknown in Irian Jaya, quarantine spokesman L. Saiba said.

He said the destruction was in line with a government decree which bans transportation of plant seedlings from endemic to other areas, Antara reported. (prs)