The National Health Service and Food Quality (Senasa) destroyed 3,200 citrus seedlings in pots to prevent the HLB, a deadly disease of citrus for which there is no cure, from entering Tucuman.
The seedlings were destroyed in an area located on Route 305 in the town of Las Mesadas, Burruyacu.
Among the irregularities found by authorities were: A) the lot where the seedlings were grown was not registered in the National Registry of Operators of Plant Health Propagation Material, micropropagation and/or plant multiplication (RENFO); and B) the seedlings did not have any documentation and the nursery's structure did not comply with the appropriate safeguard measures (anti-aphid mesh, anteroom, etc.) required by regulations.
The propagation material is the first link in the fruit, horticulture, forestry, and industrial chains. Therefore, it is important to have materials that have good health to ensure the quality and potential of the plants used for production.
The production's health and quality starts in the nurseries, which is why producers must use and transfer material that is certified by the National Seed Institute (INASE). This material can only be purchased at nurseries registered by the Senasa, as they meet the phytosanitary standards necessary to achieve a healthy and high quality fruit production.
In this regard, Senasa's Resolution No. 930/09 requires that all citrus propagation material, including the finished plant, must be produced in nurseries and stay under cover. In addition, Senasa also regulates the use of anti-aphid, mesh structures, to produce disease-free plants.
Source: tucumanoticias.com.ar