San Diego City Wire

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has declared an expansion of the citrus quarantine in Valley Center, following the detection of Huanglongbing (HLB) in two citrus trees within residential neighborhoods. HLB, also known as citrus greening, poses a significant threat to San Diego County's citrus production valued at $144 million annually. The disease results in misshapen, bitter fruit and eventually kills the infected citrus trees. The quarantine affects over 350 businesses, including more than 100 growers across approximately 1,700 acres of commercial citrus and three commercial nurseries.

This new quarantine builds on existing restrictions in Fallbrook, Oceanside, Rancho Bernardo, and Valley Center, now extending to parts of Pala and Pauma Valley. Quarantine maps are available. The restrictions aim to protect the area's food resources, agricultural industry, and environmental health by prohibiting the movement of citrus nursery stock, plant parts, and fruit outside the quarantine perimeter. Agricultural businesses can move products if they meet specific treatment, cleaning, and packing requirements.

San Diego Agricultural Commissioner Ha Dang stated, “Unfortunately, Huanglongbing is fatal to citrus. Our goal is to prevent this disease from spreading. By working together, we can all protect our food supply, local agriculture, and environment from this devastating disease. Partnering with state and federal regulatory partners, we are working closely with residents and agricultural operators and ask for everyone’s cooperation with the ongoing regulatory activities.”

The disease affects citrus trees through the Asian citrus psyllid insects if they carry the bacterium. Infected trees exhibit yellowed leaves with asymmetrical patterns and smaller, bitter fruit. They eventually die, often within a few years. The CDFA, coordinating with local authorities, will arrange for treatment of citrus trees in the immediate areas as preventive action. Officials are also notifying citrus growers, nurseries, and related businesses. Should the disease be found in other trees within the quarantine zone, treatments or tree removals will be carried out to hinder the disease's spread.

Residents inside the quarantine area are encouraged to take specified precautions. The disease does not harm humans or animals but can devastate the local citrus industry.