ARS | Publication request: Managing citrus canker for the fresh fruit industry

Submitted to: Citrus Industry
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: October 23, 2008
Publication Date: October 23, 2008
Citation: Ritenour, M., Graham, J., Narciso, J. 2008. Managing citrus canker for the fresh fruit industry. Citrus Industry. 10:20-21.

Technical Abstract: The establishment of citrus canker in Florida changed the way the $400 million dollar industry grows, packs ships and stores fruit. Canker regulations have become less strict, but there is still a requirement for compliance for growers and packers to move fruit from Florida to other areas. The compliance agreements are with the USDA/APHIS and are constantly reviewed and enforced. APHIS personnel are inspecting in packinghouses only and not in the field except for shipments to the EU where there is still a field inspection requirement. All fruit leaving packinghouses in Florida must have a limited permit to show that they have been inspected and required information on the sticker gives the APHIS inspector notification of what field the fruit is from, how it was transported. The limited permit also includes verification of sanitation and decontamination of canker on the line with approved compounds (i.e. Peroxyacetic acid, chlorine and SOPP). Compliance agreements are general in nature and more specific according to the country of import. For these situations, the compliance is the general ruling for the Limited Permit plus any other regulations stipulated by the country where the fruit is being shipped.