Country: United States

Title: Plum Pox Virus (PPV) - Niagara, Orleans, and Wayne Counties, New York added to the quarantine area

Contact:
Dr. Anwar Rizvi, National Program Manager for the PPV program, (301) 734-4313

Report: Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is establishing a PPV quarantine in the State of New York which includes areas in Niagara, Orleans, and Wayne Counties. This is a result of PPV detections in these counties since July 2006.

The Federal Order describes the quarantine areas and the requirements for the interstate movement of PPV-regulated articles. This action is necessary in order to prevent the spread of PPV into uninfected areas of the United States.

PPV was first detected in New York in March 2006. PPV is a viral disease of stone fruit species, including plum, apricot, peach, almond, and ornamental varieties including nursery stock. PPV is the most devastating viral disease worldwide of stone fruit, causing yield losses to growers and reducing the marketability of fruit.

APHIS classifies PPV as a quarantine pest and has established a regulatory framework designed to maintain trade and interstate commerce while protecting human health and the environment. The interstate movement of budwood and nursery stock from quarantine areas is an especially high-risk pathway for spreading PPV. APHIS is working with State cooperators and international governmental representatives to attain consistent phytosanitary measures to mitigate these risks of spreading PPV. The specific changes to the quarantine areas are shown in the Federal Order.

For additional information you may visit the USDA, APHIS, PPQ/PPV website: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/plum_pox/index.shtml.

APHIS will follow this emergency action with the publication of an Interim Rule in the Federal Register.

Under IPPC Standards, Plum Pox Virus is considered to be a pest that is present: under eradication in the United States.
 

Posted Date: May 28, 2010, 9 a.m.