USDA bans use of wheat seed outside Karnal bunt areas
Date: 01-May-02
Country: USA
Last year, an outbreak of Karnal bunt in the Southwest caused the USDA to quarantine four Texas counties. Costs to farmers and the local economy were estimated at around $27 million.
The wheat disease is not dangerous to humans or livestock, but causes a foul odor and off-color in contaminated wheat, making it less desirable to foreign buyers. Karnal bunt is primarily spread by spores and through the movement of infected seed.
USDA also said it would no longer require that wheat seed, durum wheat seed and triticale that originate within Karnal-bunt infested areas be treated with a fungicide before being planted.
The interim rule is effectively immediately and is expected to be published in the Federal Register yesterday, USDA said.