Effective immediately, the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in cooperation with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry (FDACS DPI), is expanding the citrus black spot (CBS) quarantined areas in Florida. The additions include nine sections in Collier County, seven sections in Glades County, and seven sections in Hendry County. APHIS is also establishing new quarantined areas comprising 17 sections in DeSoto County and one section in Highlands County, both newly identified as having CBS.
© USDA
This action follows confirmed detections of Phyllosticta citricarpa (formerly Guignardia citricarpa), the fungal pathogen responsible for CBS, during routine surveys conducted by APHIS and FDACS DPI in the 2024/2025 growing season. As a result, APHIS is implementing safeguarding measures and placing restrictions on the interstate movement and foreign trade entry of regulated citrus materials from these quarantined areas, as detailed in Federal Order DA-2024-30.
CBS was first detected in Florida in 2010 in Collier and Hendry Counties. The disease remains limited to parts of eight counties in Southwest Florida. Any fresh citrus fruit transported interstate from CBS quarantined areas must be processed using APHIS-approved methods and packed in commercial citrus packinghouses that operate under a compliance agreement with APHIS.
Additionally, fresh, mature rutaceous leaves intended for consumption must follow the guidelines outlined in Federal Order DA-2022-07 and also be handled under a compliance agreement. APHIS prohibits the movement of all other citrus plant parts out of the quarantined areas.
For more information:
Abby R. Stilwell
USDA
Tel: +1 919 323 6296
Email: [email protected]
Daniel Murphy
USDA
Tel: +1 775-221-9237
Email: [email protected]
www.aphis.usda.gov
