VANUATU'S ANIWA ISLAND LOSING ORANGE AND SANDLEWOOD TREES

PORT VILA, Vanuatu (November 10, 1998 - PACNEWS)---Officials on Vanuatu's Aniwa island have called on the central government to assist them in identifying the cause of damage to orange and sandalwood trees.

Spokesman Roel Yameli said a research site has been established on the island with over 300 hectares (750 acres) of the plants now under observation

Mr Yameli said orange trees --following cyclones and a severe dry season-- no longer are producing adequate fruit and some trees are dying.

Aniwa island is known throughout Vanuatu for its orange trees, which normally produce year-round crops and are the main source of income for the islanders.