Citrus states ban South African clementines in wake of larvae finds
Citrus states ban South African clementines in wake of larvae finds
On June 16, USDA inspectors at the Needles Border Station in Needles, CA, discovered live false codling moth larvae in a clementine contained in a shipment of the fruit from South Africa. The inspectors also discovered one dead larva in the same shipment.
On June 20, another single live larva was discovered, also at the Needles Border Station. A complete investigation of the shipment revealed another dozen dead larvae, but no other live insects were found.
On Wednesday, June 29, the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services confirmed the find and advised the public that FDACS Commissioner Charles H. Bronson had issued a temporary ban on the import and sale of South African Clementine in the state pending further investigation of the incident and determination of related risks. Other citrus-producing states, including California and Arizona, have taken similar measures.
Denise Feiber, public information director, division of plant industry for FDACS, told The Produce News that the larvae were in fruit entering the country for distribution.
"Inspectors made the find during that process," said Ms. Feiber. We do not know at this time if any of the fruit had been distributed prior to the find. The USDA has not issued a recall on the fruit at this time. However, the entry protocol has been increased to help ensure that it will kill any other live larvae.
Ms. Feiber explained that the new protocol, effective nationwide, increases the chill time at the country of origin to two days. The cold treatment period, which is generally conducted on the ships as they are traveling toward the United States, has been increased to 24 days from 22 days.
The false codling moth (Cryptophlebia leucotreta) has damaged a range of crops throughout sub-Saharan Africa including citrus. Control of the insect is complicated by the fact that it is a cryptic (non-obvious) pest, in that the moth lays one or a few eggs on the surface of the orange. On hatching, the larvae burrow into the orange quickly and are then essentially inaccessible. The result is a very narrow window of detection opportunity between hatching and burrowing. Besides placing U.S. citrus at risk, the insect can also spread to other crops, including peaches, avocados, custard apples, guava, persimmons, pomegranates, olives, mangosteen, cotton, Sorghum, okra, corn and more. In fact, over 50 types of fruit have been recorded in Africa as hosts of the moth.
It is a major problem in some parts of the world, and could have a significant effect on trade wherever it is found. Mr. Bronson issued the Florida ban as a measure to protect the Florida agriculture industry. We are very concerned about the potential impact this insect could have on Florida agriculture if it were to escape into the environment, he said. This is clearly a pest that we do not want in Florida because of our important crop diversity and climate.
The department issued temporary stop-sale and hold orders on South African clementines in wholesale and retail markets in Florida as soon as news of the larvae find was issued. The ban remains in effect while further inspections and investigations continue.
On June 20, another single live larva was discovered, also at the Needles Border Station. A complete investigation of the shipment revealed another dozen dead larvae, but no other live insects were found.
On Wednesday, June 29, the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services confirmed the find and advised the public that FDACS Commissioner Charles H. Bronson had issued a temporary ban on the import and sale of South African Clementine in the state pending further investigation of the incident and determination of related risks. Other citrus-producing states, including California and Arizona, have taken similar measures.
Denise Feiber, public information director, division of plant industry for FDACS, told The Produce News that the larvae were in fruit entering the country for distribution.
"Inspectors made the find during that process," said Ms. Feiber. We do not know at this time if any of the fruit had been distributed prior to the find. The USDA has not issued a recall on the fruit at this time. However, the entry protocol has been increased to help ensure that it will kill any other live larvae.
Ms. Feiber explained that the new protocol, effective nationwide, increases the chill time at the country of origin to two days. The cold treatment period, which is generally conducted on the ships as they are traveling toward the United States, has been increased to 24 days from 22 days.
The false codling moth (Cryptophlebia leucotreta) has damaged a range of crops throughout sub-Saharan Africa including citrus. Control of the insect is complicated by the fact that it is a cryptic (non-obvious) pest, in that the moth lays one or a few eggs on the surface of the orange. On hatching, the larvae burrow into the orange quickly and are then essentially inaccessible. The result is a very narrow window of detection opportunity between hatching and burrowing. Besides placing U.S. citrus at risk, the insect can also spread to other crops, including peaches, avocados, custard apples, guava, persimmons, pomegranates, olives, mangosteen, cotton, Sorghum, okra, corn and more. In fact, over 50 types of fruit have been recorded in Africa as hosts of the moth.
It is a major problem in some parts of the world, and could have a significant effect on trade wherever it is found. Mr. Bronson issued the Florida ban as a measure to protect the Florida agriculture industry. We are very concerned about the potential impact this insect could have on Florida agriculture if it were to escape into the environment, he said. This is clearly a pest that we do not want in Florida because of our important crop diversity and climate.
The department issued temporary stop-sale and hold orders on South African clementines in wholesale and retail markets in Florida as soon as news of the larvae find was issued. The ban remains in effect while further inspections and investigations continue.
