The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) recently announced the expansion in Orange County of an emergency program for HLB and the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) that spreads the disease.
The expansion follows confirmation throughout January of the causative bacterial agent of HLB in plant tissue and/or ACP in Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Orange, Santa Ana, Villa Park and Yorba Linda.
CDFA proclaimed that HLB and ACP present a significant, clear and imminent threat to California’s commercial citrus production, residential citrus plantings, natural resources and economy.
WHAT IT COVERS
The CDFA’s Proclamation of Emergency Program is valid until Jan. 31, 2027.
The emergency program area is the entirety of the HLB quarantine area within Orange County, which became effective on Feb. 13. The emergency program area encompasses all properties within a 5-mile radius of all HLB-positive host plants.
Under the HLB/ACP program, all host plants found to be positive for HLB will be removed and destroyed using mechanical means to stop the spread of the disease. See the CDFA’s full proclamation, including HLB and ACP control measures, here.
More information about the program can be obtained by calling CDFA at 800-491-1899.
A LOT AT STAKE
The proclamation points out that California is the top citrus-producing state, with total citrus production valued at $3.63 billion. It stated that a recent study estimated that a 20% reduction in California citrus acreage would cause a loss of 8,213 jobs, $214 million in employee income, and reduce state gross domestic product by $569 million. Another recent study concluded that if steps are not taken to combat HLB, the total loss in production value could be up to $2.7 billion over 20 years.
The proclamation pointed out that studies in Florida have shown that the presence of HLB increases citrus production costs by up to 40% and has resulted in a loss of over $7 billion and 6,600 jobs.
The HLB causative bacterial agent was first detected in Los Angeles in 2012. It has subsequently been detected in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties.
The proclamation stated that if the current infestation is not abated immediately, ACP will likely become established in neighboring counties and could pave the way for a statewide HLB infestation.
Source: CDFA
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