Federal and Texas officials have amended several Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantines in southern Texas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) announced changes in Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, and Starr counties.
On July 23, APHIS and TDA reduced the Brownsville quarantine in Cameron County by 16 square miles after three generations had elapsed since the last Mexfly detection. The Brownsville quarantine now covers 131 square miles and includes 103 acres (42 ha) of commercial citrus.
The same day, the Edinburg-Palmview-Donna quarantine in Hidalgo County was reduced by 94 square miles. This area included 4,177 acres (1,691 ha) of commercial citrus. The reduction followed three generations without detection.
On July 25, APHIS and TDA removed the Sebastian quarantine in Willacy County. This released 71 square miles, including 5 acres (2 ha) of commercial citrus, after three generations without new detections.
On July 30, the agencies further adjusted the Edinburg-Palmview-Donna quarantine by reducing it by 64 square miles and separating it into two distinct quarantines: Edinburg and Donna. The reduction included 2,741 acres (1,110 ha) of commercial citrus. The Edinburg quarantine now covers 69 square miles with 457 acres (185 ha) of commercial citrus, while the Donna quarantine covers 137 square miles with 1,284 acres (520 ha) of commercial citrus.
Also on July 30, the Roma quarantine in Starr County was removed, releasing 43 square miles from restrictions. This area did not include commercial citrus. Removal followed three generations without detections.
APHIS and TDA stated that each adjustment was made after confirming three Mexfly generations had passed without additional detections, following established protocols for quarantine management.
Source: Citrus Industry