CDFA Pest Prevention Plant Regulation Practice Exam

Which item is exempt from certification requirements under the white-fringed beetle quarantine?

1. grass sod

2. soil around balled plants

3. decomposed manure, if dehydrated, ground, pulverized, or compressed

4. potatoes, freshly harvested

The correct answer is: decomposed manure, if dehydrated, ground, pulverized, or compressed

The item that is exempt from certification requirements under the white-fringed beetle quarantine is decomposed manure, provided it has been dehydrated, ground, pulverized, or compressed. This exemption is based on the understanding that these processes significantly reduce the potential for any pests or diseases to survive or be transported with the material. By thoroughly processing the manure, it becomes a less favorable medium for pests, therefore not requiring certification under the quarantine regulations. In contrast, other options may still harbor pests or may not have undergone similar processing steps that assure pest freedom. Grass sod, for instance, may contain insects or their larvae, making it subject to regulation. Soil around balled plants is also a potential habitat for pests, thereby necessitating certification. Freshly harvested potatoes, due to their direct contact with soil and their status as a viable host for various pests, are also required to meet specific certification conditions.