More than 200 lime and orange producers in the Mexican municipality of Huimanguillo are fearing for their orchards as Huanglongbing (HLB) disease moves closer, website Milenio.com reported.

The story reported the area with 14,000ha of citrus crops, in the south of the state of Tabasco, is just 100km (62 miles) from outbreaks of the disease in the state of Chiapas.

Grower representatives recently sent out an "SOS' to the industry and authorities to take appropriate action towards the disease through emergency measures, as it is generally accepted that HLB will enter Tabasco.

The story reported there are still no legal obligations for growers to cut down affected trees, while there are also limitations with spraying equipment and technical assistance.

Representatives have complained that there is no strict control with security booths to prevent product entering from other states, while a lack of government support meant that growers needed to be prepared for the problem.

Photo: El Siglo de Durango

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