APHIS Establishes Mexican Fruit Fly Quarantine Area in Hargill Area Texas

FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION
DA-2016-162
April 20, 2016

Subject: APHIS Establishes Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantine Area in the Hargill Area of Willacy County, Texas

To: State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

Effective March 23, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) established a Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens or Mexfly) quarantine area in the Hargill area of Willacy County, Texas. APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement or entry into foreign trade of regulated articles from this area.

On March 23, Mexfly larvae were confirmed at one site in Hargill, Willacy County. APHIS, in cooperation with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), is responding to the confirmed detections with the establishment of a new quarantine area, which encompasses approximately 66 square miles in Willacy 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 non-infested areas of the United States.

The establishment of this quarantine 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 quarantine area, please contact National Fruit Fly Policy Manager John Stewart at 919-855-7426.

Osama El-Lissy
Deputy Administrator
Plant Protection and Quarantine