The U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has broadened the geographical area for citrus black spot quarantine (CBS) in two Florida counties that have hosted the disease since 2010.

Following surveys conducted by APHIS and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry (DPI), the decision has been made to add 11 sections to Collier County and 75 sections in Hendry County for the state's quarantine area.

"These new sections in Collier and Hendry Counties are near areas that have previously been found positive for CBS," APHIS said in an update.

The total quarantine zone also includes parts of Lee and Polk Counties.

"APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement or entry into foreign trade of regulated articles from the quarantine. Regulated articles from quarantine areas are subject to all interstate movement conditions outlined in a Federal Order that was issued on March 16, 2012," APHIS said.

Symptoms of CBS are most evident on mature fruit and typically remain latent on leaves with little to no symptom development until after the leaves die.

Fresh citrus fruit that is moved interstate from the CBS quarantine areas must be packed in commercial citrus packinghouses operating under a compliance agreement with APHIS and the fruit must be processed using APHIS-approved methods.

Citrus plant parts other than treated fresh fruit is prohibited from movement outside the quarantine area.

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

www.freshfruitportal.com