Adapec monitors quarantine pests in fruit production units

With the aim of maintaining Tocantins' phytosanitary status without the occurrence of the current quarantine pests, which attack species of the citrus genus (orange, lemon, tangerine and Tahiti acid lime) and other fruits, the Agricultural Defense Agency (Adapec) is concluding the monitoring to detect the pests: Cancro Cítrico, HLB and Pinta Preta, the latter was detected in 2022, on a rural property, in Tocantinópolis, where a survey is carried out to prevent dispersal.

Monitoring pays special attention to the two fruit growing centers in Tocantins: the Manuel Alves Irrigation Project, in the southeast region and the São João Irrigated Project, in the municipality of Porto Nacional. It was also carried out in around 100 rural properties that produce commercial and non-commercial fruit in the State.

“These surveys are part of pest control in fruit growing and are one of the requirements of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa), which is why we started in March and are now concluding this monitoring throughout the State, to maintain the status of the phytosanitary without the occurrence of these pests, which have commercial restrictions,” highlighted the technical responsible for the Fruit Culture Program, Helcids de Sá Reis.

It is important to highlight that as many fruits produced in Tocantins are sold outside the State, it is necessary that the loads be accompanied by a Vegetable Transit Permit (PTV) and to issue this document the fruits must be free of these pests.

What are quarantine pests

A pest of economic importance, where it is not yet present, or, when present, is not widely distributed and is under official control.