Program is intended to mitigate the effect of quarantine, beginning with the 2011 crops
The US Department of Agriculture and the production industry have introduced a pilot quarantine insurance program for California citrus and avocado crops – reported The Packer.
The program is intended to mitigate the effect of quarantine, beginning with the 2011 crops. The quarantine would have to be done due to pest infestation or disease, and be imposed by the department’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Parts of San Diego and Imperial counties are currently under quarantine due to discoveries of the Asian citrus psyllid, a pest that can carry the bacterial citrus greening disease, huanglongbing, also known as HLB.
Under the pilot program, growers will be reimbursed for actual production losses and mandated crop damage. Program materials are to be issued by early September. Growers must have the insurance policy in place by November 20.