Greening: Government of SP removes more than 9 thousand citrus seedlings from circulation

The Government of São Paulo, through the Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply (SAA) and its Agricultural Defense Coordination (CDA), removed more than 9 thousand irregular citrus seedlings from circulation in Herculândia, in the western region of the State of São Paulo . The operation involved CDA's technical team, which was supported by the Environmental Military Police. In total, seven locations were inspected and, of these, four contained citrus seedlings symptomatic for the disease called greening.

 This pest is the one that most threatens orange production worldwide, it affects all types of citrus plants and there is no cure.

The current legislation establishes plant health protection measures to curb the street trading of seedlings in São Paulo, due to the serious economic damage to commercial crops and orchards that the practice generates. The Agricultural Defense Coordination also carried out health education work in the region in order to guide producers.

The governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas, announced last month the creation of a committee to try to contain the spread of greening in a meeting with the citrus sector, at Palácio dos Bandeirantes.

The Secretary of Agriculture and Supply, Guilherme Piai, emphasizes that inspections will occur systematically as one of the fronts to combat greening in São Paulo and reiterated his commitment to the sector.

“Citrus production represented US$ 1,54 billion in exports to the São Paulo economy until the month of October, ranking fifth among the most exported by São Paulo's agricultural sector. We are committed to ensuring safety for the State’s citrus growers”, added Piai.