Korea Allows Methyl Bromide Fumigation for Fuller Rose Beetle this Season
I received the following update from the California Citrus Qualilty Council. This is exciting news, since Fuller rose beetle is so difficult to completely eliminate from orchards. Please note that even though Korean officials are allowing MeBr fumigation this season, they still expect to see reductions in Fuller rose beetle interceptions. In addition, since fumigation is likely only a temporary situation, growers would be wise to continue treatments for FRB this season to reduce populations for future seasons.
California Citrus Industry,
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) officials confirmed this morning that their counterpart agency in Korea agreed to an additional year of blanket fumigation for California citrus. While Korea’s Quarantine Inspection Service (QIA) agreed to provide an extension of the methyl bromide treatment in Korea, they stated that they expect to see reductions in Fuller rose beetle (FRB) interceptions and periodic updates on the progress of research on FRB mitigation measures.
This new development removes the uncertainty regarding citrus shipments to Korea for the 2013-14 season.
Additional information will be provided at the California Citrus Quality Council’s (CCQC) Korea export program preseason meeting, which will be held at the Visalia Convention Center at 9:00 a.m. on Sept. 26.
CCQC
Posted by Jane Delahoyde on September 5, 2013 at 6:56 AM