Citrus quarantine ordered for north San Diego County

The recent detection of citrus-wasting bacteria on a residential tree in San Clemente prompted a new quarantine order from the California Department of Food and Agriculture on Thursday. The new restrictions affect commercial and residential citrus trees in the far reaches of North County, expanding quarantine orders already in effect in Fallbrook, Oceanside, Rancho Bernardo and Valley Center.

Made to protect the county’s citrus crop, estimated to be worth $144 million annually, the quarantine restricts individuals and businesses from moving nursery stock, plant parts and fruit outside of prescribed quarantine boundaries, which can be found at cdfa.ca.gov/citrus. Agricultural businesses can still move citrus, but must adhere to strict requirements for treatment, cleaning and fruit packing, according to a statement from the county’s agriculture department.

The new area spans from southern Orange County into the extreme northern parts of San Diego County, encompassing the San Onofre and Agra areas, including parts of northwest Camp Pendleton.

Restrictions are aimed at containing the spread of Huanglongbing, a disease caused by several species of bacteria that kill citrus trees. Signs of infection include mottled yellow leaves in asymmetrical patterns and small, asymmetrical and bitter fruit. Bacteria move from tree to tree aboard a flying insect, the Asian citrus psyllid.

“Our goal is to prevent this disease from spreading,” said San Diego Agricultural Commissioner Ha Dang, in a county statement. “By working together, we can all protect our food supply, local agriculture and environment from this devastating disease.”

Anyone who suspects that they have an infected citrus tree is urged to call the state’s toll-free pest hotline at (800) 491-1899 or visit www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus.