Rule 40-4-26-.05 - Citrus Plants, Budwood, and Rootstock Entering Georgia(1) Importing Citrus Plants (a) Citrus plants are prohibited from entering Georgia unless:1. The state plant regulatory organization has been issued a Master Permit by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection Section;2. The citrus plants were produced inside an exclusion structure as defined in these Rules;3. The citrus plants are produced in a facility under a citrus certification compliance program with either the relevant state plant regulatory organization or USDA-APHIS-PPQ;4. Scion trees or mother trees have been tested at least every three (3) years for the graph transmissible pathogens listed in these Rules or on the Department of Agriculture's website. Rootstock seed source trees must be tested for Citrus greening (or huanglongbing; Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus), Citrus Leaf Blotch Virus (CLBV), and Citrus Psorosis Virus (CPsV) at least every six (6) years;5. The facility and citrus plants are inspected at least six (6) times per year by state plant regulatory or USDA-APHIS-PPQ personnel, or the combined number of inspections of both agencies total at least six (6), for citrus pests and diseases; and6. The citrus plants are shipped directly from the approved exclusion structure to Georgia.(b) The Commissioner may request additional information to determine whether a nursery is in compliance with the requirements of these Rules.(c) The Commissioner will order an immediate Stop-Sale Notice and Hold Order for any citrus plant shipped into Georgia without proof that the plant originated from a nursery in compliance with the requirements of this Rule. Citrus plants will be released in accordance with the requirements of these Rules.(d) The Commissioner may suspend or cancel a Master Permit if there is reason to believe that citrus plants are produced or shipped in violation of these Rules.(2) Importing Budwood (a) Budwood may be imported from a citrus clean stock program facility including, but not limited to, the following: 1. California Citrus Clonal Protection Program;2. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bureau of Citrus Budwood Registration;3. Texas Citrus Budwood Certification Program; and4. USDA-ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository for Citrus and Dates (USDA-ARS-NCGR).(b) Budwood may be imported from a USDA-APHIS-PPQ certified facility provided the budwood was produced inside an exclusion structure as defined in these Rules.(c) Budwood from outside of the United States must comply with all USDA-APHIS-PPQ and Customs and Border Protection applicable regulations and requirements for entry into the country.(3) Importing Rootstock (a) Seeds must originate from a state certified seed source tree.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-4-26-.05
O.C.G.A. § 2-7-1, et. seq.
Original Rule entitled "Citrus Plants, Budwood, and Rootstock Entering Georgia" adopted. F. Dec. 5, 2019; eff. Jan. 1, 2020, as specified by the Agency.Amended: F. May 24, 2023; eff. June 13, 2023.