APHIS Establishes a Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantine in La Feria, Cameron County, Texas

FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION

DA-2019-11

May 30, 2019

 

Subject:           APHIS Establishes a Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantine in La Feria, Cameron County, Texas

To:                   State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

Effective April 22, 2019, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) established a Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens or Mexfly) quarantine in La Feria, Cameron County, Texas. APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement of regulated articles from this area.

On April 22, APHIS confirmed one mated female Mexfly in La Feria, Texas. APHIS, in conjunction with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), is responding to this confirmed detection with the establishment of a new quarantine area, which encompasses approximately 73 square miles of La Feria, Cameron County. There are 1681 acres of commercial citrus and one commercial packing shed within the quarantine area. APHIS is working with 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 quarantine areas:

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

 

For additional information on the Mexfly quarantine area, please contact the Fruit Fly National Policy Manager, Richard Johnson, at 301-851-2109.

 

 

 

Osama El-Lissy

Deputy Administrator

Plant Protection and Quarantine