Citrus Growers In California County Told They Must Spray
February 27, 2013 
Commercial citrus growers in California’s Ventura County must chemically treat orchards near findings of a deadly insect or face pesticide application bills, penalty fees, a possible lien on their property, and even the potential loss of that property.
According to a story posted Tuesday afternoon on the website of the Ventura County Star, those are the tactics that Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner Henry Gonzales said he will use to pressure several commercial growers who are not complying with the state’s recommended but not mandatory plan to control Ventura County’s infestation of the Asian citrus psyllid.
At a public meeting Tuesday in Ventura, Gonzales told an audience of about 190 he will use his legal authority under the state’s food and agriculture code if talking to the parties proves ineffective and he disagrees with their reasons for not spraying.
“This is very serious,” Gonzales said. “This is what has to happen in order to protect the citrus industry here in Ventura County.”
Organic citrus growers can keep their organic certification while complying with the commissioner’s mandate, Gonzales said, because the state has declared an emergency situation regarding the psyllid threat. However, they will not be able to sell the treated crop as organic, he said.
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