APHIS Establishes Additional Regulated Area in Florida for Giant African Snail (Lissachatina fulica, formerly Achatina fulica)
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service sent this bulletin at 12/24/2013 08:36 AM EST
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FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION
DA-2013-55 December 23, 2013
Subject: APHIS Establishes Additional Regulated Area in Florida for Giant African Snail (Lissachatina fulica, formerly Achatina fulica)
To: State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is notifying stakeholders of a new regulated area for giant African snail (GAS) in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Program personnel recently detected GAS in one residential area outside of existing regulated areas in Miami.
The revised map and description of the new regulated areas are posted on the APHIS website at
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/gas/downloads/gals-quarantinezone.pdf .
In September 2011, APHIS confirmed the detection of GAS, Lissachatina fulica, in a residential area of Miami, Florida. GAS is one of the most damaging snails in the world because it is known to consume at least 500 different plants including vegetables, fruits, and ornamental crops. Since the initial detection, APHIS has actively worked with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to conduct survey, regulatory, control, and outreach activities within the affected areas.
For further information, please contact Anthony Man-Son-Hing, National Field Operations Manager, at (919) 855-7331, or Charles Brown, National Policy Manager, at (301) 851-2119.
/s/
Osama El-Lissy
Deputy Administrator
Plant Protection and Quarantine