Effective July 31, 2020, bulk citrus fruit may be shipped directly to a packinghouse or processor located within a Huanglongbing (HLB) quarantine area without meeting the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP)-free performance standard, provided that the shipment originates from the immediately adjacent, surrounding ACP bulk citrus regional quarantine zone. The fruit may not originate from within an HLB quarantine area. All shipments of citrus fruit must continue to be fully safeguarded with a tarp or enclosed vehicle while in transit.
Citrus growers in ACP Bulk Citrus Regional Quarantine Zone 5 may ship fruit without mitigation into the immediately adjacent HLB quarantine area in Riverside and San Bernardino. Citrus fruit grown and shipped from any other zone must meet the ACP-free performance standard prior to shipment.
For a larger map view, click here.
“Protecting our commercial citrus production is of the utmost importance for the committee,” said Jim Gorden, chairman of the Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program. “By implementing this change, it will not only minimize the long-range movement of ACP from one area to another, but it will also establish a precedent for all areas that may fall into the HLB quarantine zone in the future.”
This amendment comes after the Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Committee unanimously voted to revoke Quarantine Commodity (QC) 1486 in April of this year.
Steps like this are critical in the fight to save California’s citrus industry from ACP and HLB, which has been found in residential areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counites at an increasing rate. Now more than ever, it is important for the citrus industry to work together in preventing the spread of this deadly pest and disease.
To review the full document for citrus growers and grove managers in an ACP bulk citrus regional quarantine zone or HLB quarantine area, please click here.
For questions regarding this regulatory advisory, please contact Keith Okasaki at Keith.Okasaki@CDFA.ca.gov or contact your local county agricultural commissioner’s office.