| (a) All quarantined articles, as defined in §21.5
of this chapter (related to Quarantined Articles), that are grown
after January 1, 2018, from seed, cuttings, budding, cell culture
or other means must be produced inside a certified pest exclusionary
facility that meets USDA-APHIS-PPQ structural requirements, and requirements
found in 7 CFR Part 301 (Subpart-Citrus Greening and Asian Citrus
Psyllid, and Subpart-Citrus Canker).
(b) To qualify as an exclusionary structure which meets
certification requirements, a facility must include, at a minimum,
each of the following:
(1) Exterior walls and top;
(A) Any combination of solid surfaces and screening
may be used, as long as the structure meets or exceeds USDA-APHIS-PPQ
insect exclusionary and citrus canker prevention requirements, including
resistance to wind-blown rain.
(B) Mesh size for any screening used in walls, doors,
vent covers, or other parts of a structure to be operated under a
certificate of registration shall not exceed 0.3 square millimeters
(e.g., 0.547 x 0.547 mm or 0.5 x 0.6 mm).
(2) Each approved structure must have a citrus free
buffer area around the exterior of the approved structure of at least
100 feet. If a buffer area of 100 feet or more is not feasible, a
minimum buffer area of 25 feet is allowed if the side of the structure
facing citrus nursery plant material is constructed with a water-proof
wall, or double-walled screening with a minimum of a 4-inch space
between each screen.
(3) Doors, doorways, and entryways must be designed
and constructed to exclude wind-blown rain, and pest organisms;
(A) All doorways shall have a positive pressure air
curtain, double doors, or other mechanisms sufficient to prevent the
entrance of any insect pests, both during operation of the door and
while the door is closed.
(B) All doors shall fit against the floor and door
frame, so that no pest organisms or rain can enter the facility.
(C) All facility emergency exit doors must be marked ‘Emergency
Exit Only’ and may not be used as an entrance.
(D) Each entrance to the facility shall be equipped
so that, prior to entering the facility, personnel must disinfect
hands and arms and spray clothing and footwear with a product approved
by the Department or USDA-APHIS-PPQ as effective against citrus canker.
A footbath containing a product approved by the Department as effective
against citrus canker must be located at each entrance and must be
properly utilized on footwear by all persons prior to entering the
facility.
(E) Vehicles, equipment, and other articles used to
handle or move citrus nursery stock must be treated in accordance
USDA-APHIS-PPQ requirements, immediately before entering the premises.
(4) Other openings. Except for doors, all exterior
openings for cooling pads, fans, vents or other parts of a structure
to be operated under a certificate of registration must be covered
with screening, specified in subsection (b)(1)(B) of this section;
and
(5) The facility perimeter must facilitate drainage
away from the structure.
(c) The owner of the facility is responsible for maintaining
the integrity of the facility and ensuring it remains pest-free.
(d) The Department must be notified in writing immediately
if a breach is detected at any time during the life cycle of the citrus
stock, from propagation to point of sale.
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