Argentina launches HLB prevention program

The Argentina Ministry of agriculture doubles the pest control whilst intensifying their tasks of monitoring and diagnostic services, supplemented by research, training and dissemination campaigns.

In the framework of this program, regulations that were disseminated in the sector were updated. These updates included aspects to fulfill aimed to prevent the entry of HLB into the country. But regulations aside, the entire sector has an important role in preventing the entry of the disease.

"Their collaboration is the key to prevent the entry of HLB into the country, and protect more than 100,000 direct jobs generated by national citrus" said Secretary of agriculture, livestock and fisheries, Gabriel Delgado.

HLB is a threat to the sector, as it is a destructive disease of citrus for which no cure currently exists and is present in neighboring countries. The introduction, marketing, and illegal movement of plants and plant material for propagation of citrus constitute elements of risk. In this way, the Ministry of agriculture has recommended that movement of plant materials from other countries is not advisable nor is the movement of material that does not have authorization from Senasa, within the national territory.

In this way, the Undersecretary of Agriculture, Juan Carlos Maceira, remarked that "producers must be aware of the risks that occur when it implements non-certified material. As the consequences are shown in the long run, they should work with properly certified material".