Country: United States

Title: Tilletia indica (Mitra) Mundkur (Karnal Bunt) - Removal of quarantine areas in California

Contact:
Lynn Evans-Goldner, National Program Manager, at (301) 734-7228

Report: Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is removing the remaining Karnal bunt quarantine areas in California.

Based on results of the 2010 Karnal Bunt National Survey, APHIS determined that the remaining 17,827 acres of Riverside County in California meet all requirements of the APHIS Karnal bunt eradication program. Accordingly, restrictions on the interstate movement of Karnal bunt regulated articles from these areas are no longer required. Following this action, there will be no remaining Karnal bunt quarantine areas in California.

The specific changes to the quarantine areas are described in the Federal Order and documented on the following website:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/kb/index.shtml  

In April 2010, APHIS issued a Federal Order adding and removing areas from the Karnal bunt quarantine area, which included removing a portion of Riverside County, California. It is important to note that the interim rule codifying those changes was published in the November 10 Federal Register, but will not reflect the changes described in this Federal Order. APHIS plans to publish another interim rule codifying the changes detailed in the Federal Order.

Under IPPC standards, Tilletia indica is considered to be a pest that is absent: eradicated in California in the United States.
 

Posted Date: Nov. 12, 2010, 9 a.m.