LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Richard Pauza,

 Pharr , Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Agriculture Specialists at the Hidalgo/Pharr Port of Entry recently refused entry to a 12,348-pound shipment of coriander after discovering a pest that is a known vector for citrus greening disease, also known as Huanglongbing.

 A CBP officer at Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge on Nov. 25 referred a shipment of coriander for a secondary inspection. During the examination, a CBP Agriculture Specialist detected a pest amid the shipment of 12,348 pounds of coriander. The CBP Agriculture Specialist sent the pest to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entomologist for identification. The entomologist confirmed that the pest was Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, more commonly know as Asian Citrus Psyllid, which is a known carrier of citrus greening disease or Huanglongbing. CBP refused entry to the commodity and it was returned to Mexico .

 A few days prior to this interception, CBP Agriculture Specialists in Pharr also discovered a crate of limes and tangerines in the tool box of a truck carrying a commercial shipment of Persian limes. CBP Agriculture Specialists noted light spots on the citrus leaves in the crate and sent them to the USDA entomologist for identification. No pests were found in the lime shipment. No disease of significance was found on the leaves however the unmanifested fruits were seized and destroyed.

  “Our CBP Agriculture Specialists took a close look at a shipment of coriander and zeroed in on a significant pest that is a known carrier of citrus greening disease,” said Hector Mancha, Port Director, Hidalgo/Pharr. “This interception underscores CBP’s commitment to preventing citrus greening from gaining a stronger foothold in the U.S. and having an adverse effect on the American citrus industry.”