News Summary
A new citrus quarantine has been implemented in Northern San Diego County by the CDFA following the detection of Huanglongbing in a San Clemente tree. This marks San Diego’s first multi-jurisdictional quarantine, aiming to protect agriculture and prevent disease spread. Transport of citrus products will be regulated while allowing for specific business requests. County officials are actively testing trees in the area for further HLB cases. Community involvement is critical, with residents urged to report any sick citrus trees to the CDFA.
San Clemente – A new citrus quarantine has been declared in Northern San Diego County, initiated by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) on September 9. This action follows the discovery of Huanglongbing (HLB), a severe bacterial disease affecting citrus trees, in a single tree located in a residential area of San Clemente. The quarantine is designed to safeguard local agriculture, particularly the citrus industry, and prevent the further spread of this hazardous disease.
This quarantine marks a significant expansion of citrus protection efforts, as it represents San Diego’s first multi-jurisdictional quarantine. It encompasses a broad area extending from southern Orange County to northern San Diego County, impacting regions that include portions of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and the San Onofre and Agra areas. The new regulations build on existing quarantines that are already in effect in towns such as Fallbrook, Oceanside, Rancho Bernardo, and Valley Center.
The primary objective of the quarantine is to protect the region’s food supply, agricultural economy, and environmental sustainability. To achieve this, the movement of citrus nursery stock, plant parts, and fruit outside of the quarantine boundaries will be tightly regulated. Nonetheless, agricultural businesses can make specific requests to transport goods under certain conditions. Importantly, it is anticipated that no businesses, including commercial citrus growers, nurseries, or markets, will face negative impacts due to this quarantine.
HLB poses a grave threat to the citrus industry in San Diego County, which is valued at approximately $144 million annually. The disease can lead to severe crop loss and is characterized by symptoms such as misshapen and bitter fruit, along with mottled yellow leaves exhibiting asymmetrical patterns. These alarming signs signify the presence of HLB, which is primarily spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, tiny insects that can transmit the bacterium while feeding on citrus trees.
In response to the confirmed case of HLB, county officials are taking proactive measures by conducting tests on samples from the infected tree, as well as surrounding trees to determine if the disease has spread. Should additional cases of HLB be discovered, the CDFA will reach out to the property owners of the affected trees regarding necessary treatment and possible removal of any infected specimens.
Community involvement is vital in combating this disease, and residents are urged to report any sick or dying citrus trees. Observations can be reported directly to the CDFA by calling 800-491-1899 or visiting the CDFA website to provide information about potentially affected trees.
To further mitigate the risk of HLB spreading, the quarantine measures will include stepped-up regulatory survey efforts. This enhanced surveillance aims to ensure that the disease does not expand beyond its current boundaries, allowing local agriculture to remain resilient and sustainable in the face of such challenges.
As the situation develops, authorities remain focused on protecting the citrus industry and enhancing awareness among the general public about the significance of monitoring and maintaining the health of local citrus trees. Through these collective efforts, the goal is to maintain the vitality of citrus production and prevent substantial economic losses attributed to HLB.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- County News Center
- Wikipedia: Huanglongbing
- 10 News
- Google Search: Citrus Quarantine San Diego
- NBC San Diego
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Citrus
- The Packer
- Google News: California Citrus Disease
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
