APHIS Modifies the Conditions for the Interstate Movement of Citrus Fruit from Areas Quarantined for Sweet Orange Scab

FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION
DA-2022-18
June 6, 2022 

Subject:           APHIS Modifies the Conditions for the Interstate Movement of Citrus Fruit from Areas Quarantined for Sweet Orange Scab  

To:                  State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is modifying the conditions under which citrus fruit may be moved interstate from areas quarantined for sweet orange scab (SOS) when destined for processing or packing in a commercial citrus-producing state without a state-wide SOS quarantine.

In 2010, APHIS published Federal Order DA-2010-62 that established conditions for the movement of regulated articles from SOS quarantine areas. Under a limited permit, it allowed the movement of citrus fruit that is practically free of leaves, stems, or other regulated plant material from SOS quarantine areas for processing or packing in a commercial citrus-producing state without a state-wide SOS quarantine. These conditions are included in Federal Order DA-2021-35, which superseded DA-2010-62.

This modification allows for the interstate movement of citrus fruit with attached stems and leaves from SOS quarantined areas for processing or packing in a commercial citrus-producing state without a state-wide SOS quarantine. All other conditions for the movement of regulated articles from SOS quarantine areas are the same, including the requirement for producers/growers/packers to operate under a compliance agreement. Spread of the fungal plant pathogen Elsinoë australis, the causal agent of SOS, is mitigated because vehicles transporting pallet boxes, field boxes, field bins, etc., must have the cargo area covered with a tarpaulin or otherwise covered in a manner that does not allow any openings greater than one-half inch.

The attached Federal Order outlines the requirement for the interstate movement of regulated articles from SOS quarantine areas and includes the amendments described.

The following website contains the attached Federal Order:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-health/sweet-orange-scab

For additional information regarding the SOS program, please contact Shailaja Rabindran, Director of Specialty Crops and Cotton Pests at (301) 851-2167.

 

/s/

Dr. Mark L Davidson
Deputy Administrator
Plant Protection and Quarantine

Attachment: Federal Order