The USDA has placed hold orders restricting movement of fruit and plants in parts of Tulare County after the recent discovery of Asian citrus psyllids in the region.
The hold is in place as officials work out the details of a longer-term quarantine which would prevent growers from moving untreated citrus. Currently, no citrus plants may leave the area, but fruit can move if it is free of leaves and stems.
"Any regulatory provision is a hardship to the affected parties," CDFA spokesman Steve Lyle said. "In this case, the nurseries that move citrus plants and the packing houses will be affected. The success of any ... program depends on cooperation and understanding from those affected that compliance in the short term can bring effectiveness in the long term."
Roughly 22 growers operation within the hold areas, which cover an 800-meter radius around each of the finds, said Tom Tucker, Tulare County's assistant agricultural commissioner. Most of those areas are in navel oranges, which have already been harvested, Tucker said.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for updates on the situation.
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