Citrus growers in the valley are preparing for a quarantine because of an insect that can spread a potentially devastating disease that kills citrus trees. This comes after six Asian Citrus Psyllids were found near Porterville. As CBS47s Joe Ybarra reports, the pest is a huge threat to Tulare county's 800 million dollar industry.
Bill Bennet is a 3rd generation farmer with 500 acres at stake. His citrus groves are threatened by the Asian Citrus Psyllid and sitting in a possible quarantine zone near Porterville.
"not so much nervous. I think it's more so, the uncertainty."
There is a lot of uncertainty in Tulare County. Because the problem is getting bigger. Six psyllids were found in three different groves. The pest can carry a disease known as huang-long-bing, capable of devastating the industry.
Ag commissioner, Marilyn Kinoshita held a meeting to answer questions.
"we're running on proposed restrictions right now but it's important we're all working together to keep psyllids from being moved around Tulare County."
Ken Keck has seen what the bug can do, he has orange groves in Florida and lost 30 acres to HLB. He joined the citrus research board in Visalia a couple months ago and brought a message of prevention.
"I bring that with a lot of optimism that California can learn from what has occurred in Florida and Texas and coordinate and keep this pest out of their groves."
The county is being aggressive but it could take a couple weeks to approve the quarantine. When in place, it would affect a five mile radius from where each bug was found. Growers would also have to spray or remove stems and leaves before fruit could leave the area.
Bennet says it'll cost him but it's worth the effort.
"I can't just quit farming at this point, we have to continue to be able to continue to be doing what we've been doing for years."
Bill Bennet is a 3rd generation farmer with 500 acres at stake. His citrus groves are threatened by the Asian Citrus Psyllid and sitting in a possible quarantine zone near Porterville.
"not so much nervous. I think it's more so, the uncertainty."
There is a lot of uncertainty in Tulare County. Because the problem is getting bigger. Six psyllids were found in three different groves. The pest can carry a disease known as huang-long-bing, capable of devastating the industry.
Ag commissioner, Marilyn Kinoshita held a meeting to answer questions.
"we're running on proposed restrictions right now but it's important we're all working together to keep psyllids from being moved around Tulare County."
Ken Keck has seen what the bug can do, he has orange groves in Florida and lost 30 acres to HLB. He joined the citrus research board in Visalia a couple months ago and brought a message of prevention.
"I bring that with a lot of optimism that California can learn from what has occurred in Florida and Texas and coordinate and keep this pest out of their groves."
The county is being aggressive but it could take a couple weeks to approve the quarantine. When in place, it would affect a five mile radius from where each bug was found. Growers would also have to spray or remove stems and leaves before fruit could leave the area.
Bennet says it'll cost him but it's worth the effort.
"I can't just quit farming at this point, we have to continue to be able to continue to be doing what we've been doing for years."