Last week the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) declared an HLB quarantine in Ventura County. This is the first time HLB has been detected in the county and the find was on a residential tree. Those with citrus operations within the new quarantine zone will need to abide by additional regulations and mitigations to ensure the disease is not spread to any commercial groves.
Below is a list of resources for those with citrus operations within the quarantine zone. Please use these resources provided by the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program and CDFA to educate yourself on what regulatory changes you can expect and proactive ways to protect your groves from ACP. Additional information can be found at CitrusInsider.org or at CDFA’s website.
Maps of the HLB Quarantine Area
Requirements for Bulk Citrus Movement in Zone 6 (HLB Quarantine Zones)
- Requirements for Movement of Citrus Grown in HLB Quarantine Areas (Growers – See Table 3)
- Bulk Citrus Regional Quarantine Overview Map
- Map for Zone 6 of the Bulk Citrus Regional Quarantine in Ventura County
Other Regulatory Compliance Information
- ACP/HLB Quarantine Information for Nurseries
- Additional Compliance Requirements for Harvesters, Farm Labor Contractors, Packers and Fruit Sellers
Summary of Response Plan and Best Practices
- Response Guide for Growers: What to Expect if HLB is Found in (or Near) Your Grove
- Best Practices for Growers (English/Spanish)
- Voluntary Grower Response Plan for HLB
Growers in Ventura County should contact Grower Liaisons Sandra Zwaal at szwaal2@gmail.com or Cressida Silvers at cressidasb@gmail.com with any questions.
CCM staff will continue to monitor and keep members updated on the on the status of the situation and any new information reported from CDFA’s Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program.
This article is property of California Citrus Mutual. Please seek permission before use.
