Citrus Canker

A guide to all the latest updates from decontamination to quarantine zones.

Citrus Canker Eradication Program...Past and Present….

Background:

Asian-strain (A-strain) bacterial citrus canker is present in 15 Florida counties: Brevard, Collier, DeSoto, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Orange, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and Sarasota.



History:

Canker first identified in Florida in 1910.

Eradicated in 1933.

Discovered in Manatee County 53 years later (1986).

Discovered for a third time in 1995 near Miami International Airport.

A daily monitoring program is conducted through commercial grove and residential surveys by Federal and State agriculture officials.



Eradication Program:

Citrus trees suspected of being infected with canker are examined by on-site pathologists and sample sare sent to the Department's laboratory for diagnostic confirmation.

Using geographic positioning system (GPS) coordinates, 1,900-ft. circle is drawn around infected trees.

All positive and exposed tress within 1,900-ft. of an infected tree are destroyed.

Quarantine areas are established to prevent spread of the disease. (Note: Quarantines currently exist in 3 of the 5 PRVCGA counties. See link below for more details.)

¨ Strict policies are enforced. The movement of citrus plant material from quarantine areas is prohibited (though under certain conditions, citrus fruit may be moved when certified by the Department).

Citrus cannot be planted for two years after the last positive tree detection, except with permission of the area CCEP Director.



For more detailed information, including copies of compliance agreements and details specific to your grove, go to http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/canker/.

What is Citrus Canker? How can I help?

Citrus canker is highly contagious and can be spread rapidly by:

windborne rain

lawnmowers and other landscaping equipment

animals and birds

people carrying the infection on their hands, clothing, or equipment moving infected or exposed plants or plant parts

Ways that you can help...

Contact the Citrus Canker Helpline at (305) 598-6988 or (800) 850-3781 if you think you might have infected trees.

Let FDAC and USDA inspectors into your yard to check your citrus trees.

Do not move any citrus trees, citrus plants or citrus fruit off your property.

If you are going to dispose of any citrus plant parts, please double bag them first.