The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has established a quarantine area in the state's so-called "citrus belt" following three separate detections of Asian citrus psyllid.

The measure establishes a 178-square mile quarantine zone in Tulare County. The limits of the zone can be found on the CDFA website.

Host nursery stock may not leave the area and all citrus fruit must be cleaned of leaves and stems before transport out of the zone. Exceptions may be made for citrus grown in areas approved by the United States Department Agriculture for Asian citrus psyllid prevention.

Residents of the quarantine zone are also asked to avoid removal of citrus fruit grown on private property.

In addition to Tulare Country, there are also citrus quarantine zones established in Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Imperial, Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. A total of 45,000 acres are currently under quarantine in California.

Asian citrus psyllid may carry the huanglongbing (HLB) disease, also known as citrus greening. Once infected with HLB, trees cannot be cured and lose their agricultural value.

Just one day before establishing the most recent quarantine area, the state moved to extend the California Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program for four more years. The program provides support to growers to prevent pests such as Asian citrus psyllid.

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