Holiday plants, fruits may pose danger to local agriculture

As gift packages are shipped across the country for the holiday season, the County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures urges the public to be aware of the risk of introducing an agricultural pest into San Diego.

The department’s staff regularly inspects parcel facilities, looking for packages containing plant materials.

However, with the increased holiday shipping, the county needs everyone’s help to ensure that incoming plant material, including fruits and vegetables, are screened for pests.

“Flowers, fruits and plants are part of many holiday celebrations and customs,” said Robert Atkins, County Agricultural Commissioner. “Unfortunately, these parcels have the greatest risk of containing insects or diseases that could devastate our agricultural industry and home gardens.”

California law requires residents to contact the County Agricultural Commissioner’s office when transporting or receiving plant products, in order to have the material inspected.

“If you open your parcel and find the shipping documents stamped ‘Inspected and Released,’ or if you see a green and white ‘Passed California Agriculture’ sticker on the outside of the package, it has already been cleared,” said Atkins.

“However,” he added, “if you receive a package containing plant material that has not already been inspected, please call our office at (760) 752- 4713. The inspection request line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and an inspector will return calls during regular working hours.”

Agriculture is the fifth most important industry in San Diego County with 308,991 acres and $1.5 billion for the local economy.

San Diego County ranks number one in both California and the nation in the nursery, floriculture and avocado industries.

Statewide, San Diego County is in the top five in the production of oranges, chickens, fresh market tomatoes, eggs, mushrooms, grapefruit, tangerines and honey.

Most farms in the county are family-owned and are less than 10 acres.