FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION
DA-2020-08
March 12, 2020To: State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials Effective March 3, 2020, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) established a Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens or Mexfly) quarantine in a residential area of Laredo, Webb County, Texas. APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement or entry into foreign trade of regulated articles from this area.We are taking this action because APHIS confirmed five female Mexflies between Dec. 31, 2019, and Feb. 27, 2020, within a three-mile radius during the period of one lifecycle in Laredo, Texas. APHIS, in conjunction with TDA, is responding to this confirmed detection with the establishment of a new quarantine area, which encompasses approximately 76.6 square miles of Laredo, Webb County. There is no commercial citrus, and there are no packing sheds 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 following website describes the new quarantine area, as well as all the current federal fruit fly quarantine areas:http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-health/ff-quarantineFor additional information on the Mexfly quarantine area, please contact National Fruit Fly Policy Manager, Richard Johnson, at 301-851-2109. /s/Osama El-Lissy
Deputy Administrator
Plant Protection and Quarantine
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
