Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
09/01/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/01/2022 15:45
APHIS Establishes a Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantine in Valley Center, San Diego County, California
APHIS Establishes a Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantine in Valley Center, San Diego County, California
Published: Sep 1, 2022
FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION
DA-2022-30
August 29, 2022
To: State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials
On August 19, 2022, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) established a Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens or Mexfly) quarantine in the Valley Center area of San Diego County, California. APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement or entry into foreign trade of regulated articles from this area.
APHIS and CDFA are taking this action following the confirmed detections of five adult Mexflies within a three-mile radius between August 2 and August 15, 2022, in the Valley Center area. In cooperation with CDFA, APHIS is responding to these confirmed detections by establishing a new quarantine area encompassing approximately 77 square miles of San Diego County. There are 4,320 acres of agricultural production in the area, including avocados and various types of citrus. APHIS is working with CDFA to respond to this detection following the 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 National Fruit Fly Policy Manager Richard Johnson at 301-851-2109 or [email protected].
/s/
Dr. Mark L Davidson
Deputy Administrator
Plant Protection and Quarantine
Additional Information
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America's food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.