The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has revised requirements for the interstate movement of fresh citrus fruit from core areas of a Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens, Mexfly) quarantine in Texas. The update replaces Federal Order DA-2016-05 for Mexfly-related citrus movement but does not affect existing rules for tomato fruit under Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata, Medfly) quarantine.
APHIS announced that requirements for tomato fruit will be reissued in a separate Federal Order, though the conditions in DA-2016-05 remain valid for Medfly quarantines until the new order is published.
Systems approach adjustments
Federal Order DA-2016-05 initially outlined three options for moving citrus from a Mexfly quarantine without requiring standard post-harvest treatments. Two of those options applied to fruit from commercial groves not covered by a preventive release program (PRP), which uses sterile insect technique (SIT) to suppress Mexfly populations.
APHIS now maintains PRP coverage across all commercial citrus production in Texas. As a result, the revised protocol introduces updated schedules for the movement of citrus from groves under PRP before a quarantine is formally triggered.
The new system provides three schedules for citrus movement from PRP-covered groves within quarantine core areas. A fourth schedule remains in place for groves not under PRP and not using post-harvest treatment. Measures include enhanced trapping, bait sprays, and sterile insect release. The revised protocol also modifies detection thresholds to align with other fruit fly systems approaches and clarifies that the measures apply only to groves within quarantine core areas.
Post-harvest treatment option maintained
The revised requirements do not change APHIS' existing allowance, subject to regulatory approval, for unlimited interstate movement of citrus from quarantined groves when fruit undergoes a post-harvest treatment listed in the APHIS Treatment Manual or when it is sent for juice processing.
APHIS noted that while post-harvest treatments remain an option, they can be costly, reduce shelf life, or be unavailable to growers. The revised systems approach provides alternatives intended to maintain safeguarding measures while facilitating compliance.
Regulatory framework
The interstate movement of Mexfly host articles continues to be regulated under 7 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 301.32 through 301.32-10, along with the provisions of the updated Federal Order.
Further information, including details on current exotic fruit fly quarantines and host lists, is available through the APHIS Exotic Fruit Flies web page.
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For more information:
Catherine Marzolf
USDA
Tel: +1 386 666 9932
Email: [email protected]
www.aphis.usda.gov