APHIS Removes the Mexican Fruit Fly Quarantine in the San Ygnacio Area of Zapata County, Texas

FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION
DA-2016-67
November 14, 2016

Subject: APHIS Removes the Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantine in the San Ygnacio Area of Zapata County, Texas

To: State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

Effective October 28, 2016, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) removed the Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantine in the San Ygnacio area of Zapata County, Texas.

On June 29, 2016, APHIS established a Mexfly quarantine in Zapata County after confirming one Mexfly larva in San Ygnacio, Texas. The quarantine restricted the interstate movement of regulated articles from that area to prevent the spread of the Mexfly to non-infested areas of the United States. Since that time, APHIS has worked cooperatively with the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas citrus industry to eradicate the transient Mexfly population using approved eradication protocols.

APHIS removed the quarantine area after three lifecycles passed without finding additional Mexflies in this area. The following designated website contains a description of the current federal fruit fly quarantine areas:

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

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

 

Osama El-Lissy
Deputy Administrator
Plant Protection and Quarantine