Latest requirements for Korean shipments of Citrus

Grower Responsibilities

Growers are required to implement the following:

1.    Skirt pruning sufficient to prevent tree skirts from contacting the ground

2.    Implement weed control sufficient to prevent forming a bridge from the ground to the tree

3.    Make at least one foliar pesticide application in accordance with the University of California Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.

If growers have not made a foliar application yet or an additional application is anticipated, UC Riverside’s Dr. Joseph Morse has recommended that growers make the application 600 degree days prior to harvest.   According to Morse, with harvest in the San Joaquin Valley in February until mid-April, the optimum time for treatment within the 600 degree day window is between now and October 15, with earlier applications preferred than later should we have a cold October.  Morse has indicated that applications within this window will reduce the probability of viable egg masses when fruit is shipped to Korea.

For additional information about foliar treatment recommendations or the degree day model please consult the UC IPM Web site at http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r107300311.html.

Packer Responsibilities

Citrus packers are required to certify that orange exports to Korea have been treated with the minimum requirements of skirt pruning, weed control and at least one foliar application.  USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Service (APHIS) expects packers to maintain, on file, a signed copy of the attached industry affirmation letter that certifies that orange exports to Korea meet the minimum standards.  This means that APHIS expects packing houses to verify that the minimum requirements have been met.  APHIS has left it to the industry to decide how to communicate the requirements to growers and verify their implementation.  Packing houses that have not already signed the affirmation letter can use the attached letter.

County inspectors will inspect fruit destined for Korea.  If FRB eggs are detected, the county inspectors will have the right to determine whether the minimum mitigation measures have been implemented.  If asked, packers will be required to present a signed industry affirmation letter signed by packing house managers and the county will have the right to conduct an investigation to determine whether all of the mitigation measures were implemented.  If the packing house holds a signed affirmation letter and the investigation proves compliance the consignment will be eligible for shipment to Korea for methyl bromide fumigation on arrival in Korea.  If the packer or grower fail any of these requirements no phytosanitary certificate will be issued. 

CCQC Recommendation

Through our industry’s efforts and APHIS’, we have been able to maintain blanket fumigation on arrival in Korea this season.  This ensures minimal disruption of trade and no rejections of fruit loads.  This doesn’t mean we can step back from FRB control efforts. Korean officials were reluctant to provide this accommodation.  They have insisted that FRB control should take place in California.  We expect this to be the last year for blanket fumigation.  Starting next season (2014-2015), it is understood that all shipments to Korea must pass a county inspection before the fruit can be shipped to Korea.  This means that next year (2014-2015) there will be zero tolerance for FRB eggs in shipments to Korea.  CCQC strongly recommends that growers and packing houses take all possible measures to reduce FRB populations over the next 12 months, otherwise it will be very difficult to maintain current trade volumes to Korea.

CCQC plans to provide ongoing information about research results and recommendations for the Korea market.

Please contact me by telephone at (530) 885-1894 or via e-mail at jcranney@calcitrusquality.org if you have questions or need additional information.

California Citrus Quality Council

853 Lincoln Way, Suite 206

Auburn, CA 95603

Tel:  (530) 885-1894

Fax: (530) 885-1546

James R. Cranney, President: jcranney@calcitrusquality.org

Carleen Price, Executive Assistant: cprice@calcitrusquality.org

http://www.calcitrusquality.org