MEDIA RELEASE

The state Board of Agriculture (HBOA) met Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010 and approved an emergency interim rule that establishes two Coffee Berry Borer (CBB) quarantine zones on Hawaii Island that restricts the movement of coffee plants, plant parts, green beans and bags to prevent and slow the spread of CBB in Hawaii.

The Emergency Interim Rule will go into effect when it is published in newspapers in a few days and can remain in effect for up to one year.

The decision by the HBOA follows recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Plants & Animals, which met on Wednesday, Nov. 17. The Advisory Committee heard about three hours of testimony and discussions and determined that an emergency situation exists and approved a recommendation to the HBOA to establish CBB quarantine protocol.

The two quarantine zones include a primary quarantine zone for the areas on the island that are infested with CBB (which is currently the area of South Kona from Kaloko to Manuka State Park.)

A secondary quarantine zone will encompass the entire Island of Hawaii, excluding the primary quarantine zone.

HDOA has approved several treatment and mitigation methods that would allow for the transport of green coffee beans from the quarantine zones to other islands.

These treatment and mitigation methods include fumigation and also heat treatment and other methods that are acceptable for treatment of organic coffee beans.

— Find out more:
http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/pi/ppc/coffee-berry-borer-folder/coffee-berry-borer-information-page