June 15, 1999

USDA has quarantined part of Hillsborough County, FL, because of Oriental fruit fly infestation. The state of Florida has restricted the intrastate movement of certain products from the quarantined area as well.

Trapping surveys found a portion of the county infested with the fly. Regulated articles include more than 100 fruits, nuts, vegetables and berries and the soil associated with the commodities. "A federal quarantine is critical to prevent people from transporting regulated articles that may carry this pest to other states," said Richard L. Dunkle, deputy administrator at USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

The Oriental fruit fly is a destructive pest of citrus and other types of fruits, nuts and vegetables. The life cycle allows rapid development of serious outbreaks which can cause severe economic losses. Heavy infestations can cause complete loss of crops.

USDA published an interim rule that became effective June 9 and is scheduled to be published in today's Federal Register. Comments will be received on or before Aug. 16 and should be sent to Docket No. 99-044-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD, 20737-1238.