Florida temporarily halts entry of South African oranges

Florida temporarily halts entry of South African oranges    Florida has temporarily stopped the import and sale of South African Clementine oranges due to the discovery of a potentially damaging pest in shipments received at California border stations in recent weeks.
   Florida follows other citrus-producing states, including California and Arizona, that have taken similar measures.
   Inspections of shipments going into California revealed the presence of live larvae of the false codling moth.
   “We are very concerned about the potential impact this insect could have on Florida agriculture if it were to escape into the environment,” Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson said. “This is clearly a pest that we do not want in Florida because of our important crop diversity and climate.”
   New protocols will require shipments to undergo a three-day pre-chilling period in South Africa and a 24-day cold-treatment period. Florida will not accept South African Clementine oranges until certification is received that the product has been treated in
accordance with the new protocol.