Canker Survey Critical
As harvesting of fruit for this season begins to increase, it is critical for growers in the fresh industry to pay close attention to their own canker survey techniques as well as the canker free certification required by official state inspections.
Growers whose fruit is intended for the interstate market must have an official survey completed within 30 days of the beginning of harvest (60 days for fruit moving to the European Union including a 50-foot buffer). As the number of requests for inspections increase, the State Canker Inspection offices are urging growers to notify them at least one week prior to the anticipated pick date and longer if possible. The USDA plans to randomly resurvey approximately two percent of the survey requests.
Growers should do regular surveys of their groves prior to the certification inspection to look for any potential problem areas. If canker is found in the grove block during the state or federal inspection, the block is then disqualified for interstate and European Union markets for the remainder of the harvesting season. However, fruit without lesions from an infected grove may be shipped to acceptable export markets from any US port if the shipment is sealed.
There are no restrictions on fruit shipped to markets within Florida or on movement of processed fruit within the State. Regulations continue to require decontamination of personnel and equipment when leaving a grove.
Growers may require decontamination when entering a grove. For more information on canker surveys and the Citrus Health Response Plan, please visit www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/chrp/index.html.
|
