The Plant Protection and Quarantine program is the first line of defense against the introduction of new pests, which have no natural predators here and might thrive in San Diego County’s temperate climates, causing harm to humans, the environment and agriculture. This program inspects incoming packages at the major terminals in the county, including the airport, post office, express carriers and truck terminals.
In 1999, chrysanthemum white rust was detected and eradicated in a San Diego county nursery. This program went very smoothly due to significant cooperation from the nursery and flower industry as well as the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture. There is also an ongoing detection program in effect to prevent a re-infestation of this damaging pest.
San Diego also has a containment area for the sweet potato weevil in the southern part of the county. Fortunately this area is of such a great distance from sweet potato production areas it does not pose a commercial concern.
Plant Protection and Quarantine staff continues to participate in discussions with the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the California Rare Fruit Growers Associations on increasing the production of exotic fruits. Producing this fruit in the county would reduce the likelihood of the introduction of illegal produce and, along with it, the possibility of new exotic pests in California.
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