AGRICULTURAL QUARANTINE IMPOSED TO HALT ORIENTAL FRUIT FLY SPREAD

Movement of crops, fruit, and vegetable crops out of Ontario/Chino area restricted

SACRAMENTO, August 9, 2001 - The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has established a 59 square mile quarantine zone in the Ontario/Chino area of San Bernardino County following discovery of 9 Oriental Fruit Flies.

California Agriculture Secretary William (Bill) J. Lyons says “this quarantine is a necessary step to keep this economically damaging infestation from spreading.” The Oriental Fruit Fly currently is known to harm more than 120 fruit, vegetable and plant commodities. Damage occurs when the female lays eggs in the fruit. The eggs hatch into maggots which tunnel through the flesh of the fruit, making it unfit for consumption.

Eradication of this pest is already underway. This involves applying a small patch of a pheromone attractant mixed with a very small dose of pesticide to poles or trees, approximately 8 feet off the ground. The males are attracted to the pheromone, eat the pesticide and die before they can mate with females. The treatment is non-intrusive and has repeatedly proven successful.

The Oriental Fruit Fly was first found in California in 1960. It has been detected in California every year since 1966. Homeowners living inside the quarantine zone who have backyard fruit -trees or vegetables are urged not to give any fruits or vegetables, not to carry any of those products off their property, and not to send any of those backyard commodities through the mails.

Agricultural shipments from the quarantine zone will be limited by specific regulations designed to minimize movement of potentially infested commodities. Travelers flying out of the Ontario airport will be screened to ensure they do not carry any fruit or vegetable products in luggage. CDFA dog teams will be working at the Ontario Air terminal sniffing passenger carry-on bags and luggage for fruits or plants.
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FLEX YOUR POWER. To meet California’s energy challenge, CDFA urges businesses and consumers to conserve. For a list of simple ways that you can reduce demand and cut your energy costs, see @www.cdfa.ca.gov.