São Paulo updates rules for controlling citrus greening

The Government of São Paulo has published new criteria and procedures for the prevention and control of Huanglongbing, known as HLB or citrus greening. Resolution SAA number 32, of 2026, applies to properties and establishments with citrus plants - Citrus spp., Fortunella spp. and poncirus spp. - in the state.

The resolution defines São Paulo as a Federative Unit with occurrences of HLB. The text cites pests as etiological agents Candidatus Liberibacter americanus and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. The regulation mandates the registration of all properties and establishments producing propagation materials with the Agricultural Defense agency, through the computerized system adopted by the agency.

The new rule revokes Resolution SAA number 88, of December 7, 2021, and incorporates guidelines from Ordinance SDA/MAPA number 1.326, of July 4, 2025. This ordinance established the National Program for Prevention and Control of HLB and defined criteria for the phytosanitary status of the Federative Units and measures for the prevention and control of the disease in the country.

Main change

The main change involves the classification of municipalities in São Paulo according to the incidence of the disease. Municipalities with a plant incidence rate showing HLB symptoms between 0,001% and 10% fall into the low incidence category. Municipalities with a rate above 10% fall into the high incidence category. The definition of the municipalities will be determined by an order from the competent director.

This division alters the obligation to eliminate diseased plants. In municipalities with a high incidence of disease, eradication will now apply to orchards of Citrus spp., Fortunella spp. and poncirus spp. up to the third year. In municipalities with low incidence, eradication remains mandatory for orchards of any age.

The municipal division seeks to encourage municipalities with significant economic importance in citrus farming to intensify actions to control and eradicate diseased plants in production areas. The idea is to adapt the legislation to the impact of the disease in the state and bring balance to the citrus sector in areas of high incidence, preserving mature orchards under proper management.

Property inspection

The resolution maintains the obligation to inspect properties. The producer must identify and eliminate plants with HLB symptoms. Elimination must occur by uprooting or cutting close to the ground, with management to prevent sprouting. The regulation does not provide for compensation to the producer.

The text also requires two annual reports to the Agricultural Defense agency. The first must be submitted by July 15th. The second must be submitted by January 15th. The reports must communicate the results of inspections and the elimination of plants with HLB symptoms related to the previous semester. The regulation requires at least two inspections per semester, with a maximum interval of 90 days between them.

Vector monitoring

Another relevant change involves monitoring the insect vector, Diaphorina citri. The resolution requires monitoring and control of the vector on all properties with Citrus spp., Fortunella spp. and poncirus spp. Monitoring can be done using sticky traps, visual analysis of shoots by inspectors, or other methods recommended by research institutions.  

The regulation considers monitoring the vector in orchards of any age every 15 days as a control measure. It also requires chemical control with sufficient frequency to prevent the psyllid's egg-to-adult development cycle. The resolution also includes plant inspection, eradication according to the municipality's category, and the acquisition of seedlings only from establishments registered with the Agricultural Defense agency.

Monitoring and chemical control records must be kept in a legible and unalterable format. The producer must maintain monitoring reports, including the product used, dosage, application date, and other relevant information. These records must remain auditable for five years. Tax and phytosanitary documents related to the acquisition of seedlings must also be auditable for the same period.

Properties without management

The resolution prohibits properties with floor plans of Citrus spp., Fortunella spp. and poncirus spp. without HLB management. The standard defines properties as having no management or inadequate management when vector control does not occur, when control is insufficient, or when nymphs are present in at least 5% of the inspected shoots.  

Nymph assessment should cover the first two rows or border plants, at a height of 1,5 meters or more. The inspection should observe two shoots in 40 plants per plot, for a total of 80 shoots. Upon identifying a property without management or with inadequate management, the Agricultural Defense agency should notify the producer to carry out pest control of Diaphorina citri at a frequency sufficient to prevent the egg-to-adult cycle.

In the event of non-compliance with the notification, the producer must carry out prior chemical control against the vector and eradicate all plants with HLB symptoms at their own expense. On properties without commercial purpose or in backyard conditions, the finding of plants with HLB symptoms leads to notification of the holder for the elimination of the plants.

The resolution also changes procedures for interstate transit. Fresh citrus fruits must undergo brushing and processing to remove branches and leaves before transit to other states, according to the provisions of SDA/MAPA Ordinance number 1.326. Brushing will not be mandatory for Ponkan tangerine fruits, Citrus reticulata Blanco.