APHIS Establishes Mexican Fruit Fly Regulated Area in Harlingen area, Cameron Co., Texas

 

FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION

DA-2016-08

January 7, 2016

 

 

 

Subject:           APHIS Establishes Mexican Fruit Fly Regulated Area in the Harlingen area, Cameron County, Texas

 

To:                   State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

 

Effective November 9, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) established a new Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens or mexfly) regulated area in the Harlingen area of Cameron County, Texas. APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement of regulated articles from this area. This outbreak is considered to be transient, actionable, and under eradication.

 

On November 9, 2015, a mated female mexfly was confirmed in Harlingen, Texas. APHIS, in cooperation with the TDA, is responding to this confirmed mexfly detection with the establishment of a new regulated area, which encompass approximately 66 square miles in the Harlingen area of Cameron County.

 

APHIS is working with the TDA to respond to this detection following program survey and treatment protocols. This action is necessary to prevent the spread of mexfly to noninfested areas of the United States.

 

The establishment of this regulated area is reflected on the following designated website, which contains a description of all the current federal fruit fly regulated areas:

 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-health/ff-quarantine

 

For additional information on the Mexfly Eradication Program, you may call National Fruit Fly Policy Manager John Stewart at 919-855-7426.

 

 

 

Osama El-Lissy

Deputy Administrator

Plant Protection and Quarantine