APHIS modifies citrus nursery stock protocols

According to an announcement from Vice President of AmericanHort Craig Regelbrugge, the USDA’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has modified the protocol for interstate movement of citrus nursery stock. This protocol, originally published in 2013 and modified in 2018, contains standards and requirements that a nursery must meet to obtain a certificate or limited permit allowing the interstate movement of citrus nursery stock from areas quarantined for citrus canker, citrus greening (huanglongbing, HLB), and/or Asian citrus psyllid.

In March 2019, APHIS requested stakeholder feedback on the 2018 protocol, according to the announcement. APHIS received many comments that suggested changes to the protocol or requested clarification of existing requirements. Based on stakeholder feedback, APHIS modified the language in the protocol to clarify the intent but indicates that the agency did not make any significant changes to protocol requirements. A summary of comments and protocol changes and the revised protocol (PDF, 343KB) are available on the APHIS website. The revised protocol will go into effect on Jan. 1.

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