Because of the continuing spread of canker in Southwest Florida state and federal officials agreed in 2000 to nearly double the established quarantine area in Collier County. The boundaries were changed because of canker finds at the Ranch One and Silver Strand South groves, both located on Camp Keais Road near Immokalee. Growers in quarantine areas are prohibited from selling their fruit in citrus producing areas, must obtain a permit when fruit is harvested and must get a limited permit each time they ship fruit. Early in 2000, the state also instituted a mandatory statewide decontamination program in an effort to get canker under control. The program requires all businesses involved in the commercial citrus industry in Florida to sanitize employees and equipment that come anywhere near citrus plants.
Equipment has to be doused with a quaternary ammonia solution or bleach, or disinfected with steam.
Employees are required to use anti-bacterial soap to cleanse their hands and clothing. E-mail this story to a friend. Format this story for printing. Save at local area businesses. All rights reserved.