May 21, 2018

Mexican fruit fly quarantine in area of Texas

Effective May 12, 2018, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) established a Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantine in a residential area of San Ygnacio, Zapata 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 May 12, APHIS confirmed a Mexfly larva in the San Ygnacio area of Texas. In cooperation with Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), APHIS is responding to this confirmed detection with the establishment of a new quarantine area, which encompasses approximately 33 square miles of Zapata County. There are no acres of commercial citrus 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 Fruit Fly Program, please contact National Fruit Fly Policy Manager John Stewart at 919-855-7426.