THE CITRUS HEALTH RESPONSE PLAN - WHAT NOW?

STATE, FEDS DRAFT CITRUS HEALTH RESPONSE PLAN

Most of us are aware that the State of Florida lost its funding to eradicate citrus canker earlier this year, when, after a combination of delays resulting from legal challenges and two wild hurricane seasons, the disease had spread to the point where authorities determined it couldn't be contained. In addition, a serious citrus disease called huanglongbing, or citrus greening, popped up in South Florida in late 2005. It's now well established in South Florida and present at lower levels further north in the Florida peninsula. Researchers also say that other exotic insects and diseases may appear soon.

Florida's citrus canker eradication program ended this year forcing the industry to rethink strategies for the future.

In order to answer the obvious question of what to do next, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), along with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Management (FDACS DPI), got together with industry representatives and published a draft version of what's called CHRP - pronounced "chirp." CHRP stands for the Citrus Health Response Plan, a document spelling out the minimum standards necessary to maintain the health of Florida's citrus and prevent pests and disease from spreading to other producing states.

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) then published for public comment April 5, the findings of its citrus canker evaluation, which concluded that asymptomatic fruit is an unlikely pathway for the further spread of the disease. The evaluation affirms an important principle of the CHRP, that asymptomatic fruit does not pose a threat to other citrus producing areas because it does not further spread the disease. (This finding is specific to commercially produced citrus fruit that has been treated with disinfectant dips and subjected to other mitigations.) Even if infected fruit were to enter a citrus canker-free area with susceptible hosts, the evaluation found that the likelihood of establishment of the disease through this pathway is remote.

INDUSTRY MEMBERS DETERMINE COURSE OF ACTION

The need for research into citrus health continues.

At this point, the CHRP is subject to input from those it affects, and at the moment, there seems to be no real consensus within the diverse Florida citrus industry as to disease management and movement of fresh fruit. "The plan has been the source of a great deal of discussion, but no definitive course of action has been settled on yet," said FFVA President Mike Stuart.

"Obviously, the draft version of the CHRP is pretty basic," adds Judy Sanchez, director of corporate communications for U.S. Sugar, which includes Southern Gardens Citrus, the world's largest supplier of Florida not-from-concentrate orange juice to the private label industry and major brands. "Feedback from the entire industry, including academia, will help put some meat on its bones," she said, noting that Southern Gardens will contribute to industry efforts aimed at fleshing out the plan.

Quentin Roe of William G. Roe & Sons, is also looking for specifics, while maintaining his company's commitment to strict controls against pests and disease. "At this time, we have many more questions than answers. The process is still fluid within the framework of the compliance agreements we have been working under for the entire season," he said. "Substantial changes will not happen until early fall." The Winter Haven-based operation is a grower and packer of fresh tangerines as well as a juice processor.

And smart growers are keeping their minds open and alert. Pam Fentress of Lost Lake Groves in Lake Placid initially opposed giving up the canker eradication efforts formerly in place. Later, though, she spoke with two long-time growers whom she respects greatly. "One of these gentlemen said that if he had seen canker on his trees several weeks earlier, he would have pushed the tree (destroyed it) and others within at least 100 feet - without compensation," she said. "But today, if he got canker he wouldn't even push the infected tree (if it was a Valencia orange tree)." Fentress continues to study the subject before deciding on a course of action that's right for her.

And consistent standards have yet to be delivered. "One concern is that there are several different standards for different integrations in the industry," said Danny Raulerson, FFVA director, Marketing & International Trade.

NUTS AND BOLTS

The Citrus Health Response Plan, now in the planning stages, will help determine the future for these young trees.

Some of the key issues the CHRP tackles include the necessity of registering any facility that has anything to do with the production of citrus, inspections to verify absence of disease, certification that all regulations have been followed and the fruit is free of disease, and Best Management Practices (BMPs) for various fruit production systems.

In a nutshell, the report says the common themes and issues in the CHRP revolve around:
1) The need for education and training, research, a balance of regulatory oversight with industry due diligence
2) Flexibility in adjusting to new information, and
3) Requirements that are based on sound science and the principles of plant quarantine.

YOUR INPUT

Members of the citrus industry as well as residential tree owners are encouraged to study and comment on the CHRP draft. "The wide scope of the industry - small and large citrus growers, homeowners, processors, regulatory agencies and politicians - all will dictate the ability to find positive solutions to this important agricultural problem," said Sanchez. Input from all corners of the industry is necessary to make this plan workable at all levels and offer the Florida citrus industry a way to market their fresh fruit to customers both here in the U.S. and in other countries. Will the findings that canker cannot be spread by asymptomatic fruit be enough to open the doors to these markets?

"That's the key issue," said Stuart. "Everyone wants to know what conditions, if any, will be in play in order to move fresh fruit."

To read the CHRC, please click here. To provide comments on the plan, email chrp@aphis.usda.gov.