Big Money Going To Help Contain Exotic Fruit Fly Outbreaks

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is using emergency funding to respond to the threats associated with growing outbreaks of exotic fruit flies. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack approved the transfer of $129.2 million from the Commodity Credit Corporation to APHIS to directly support emergency response efforts domestically and internationally. This funding will support critical efforts in the U.S. and in buffer zones in Guatemala and Mexico to prevent the northward spread of these destructive pests.

APHIS is currently addressing an increasing number of outbreaks of fruit flies in the U.S.

APHIS will use $129.2 million of these funds to safeguard billions of dollars in vegetable and fruit commodities by:

• working with local, state, and international partners to eradicate exotic fruit fly outbreaks domestically and internationally to prevent the spread of these pests and protect the nation’s agriculture and U.S. trade;
• bolstering surveillance systems to detect new incursions; and
• repairing sterile insect facilities in California and Texas and replacing essential equipment to enhance the effectiveness of the program.

The USDA, California Department of Food and Agriculture, and Texas Department of Agriculture are working together to combat an outbreak of exotic fruit flies in several counties in California and Texas.

For more information on invasive insects or plant diseases, visit HungryPests.com. For the latest on invasive fruit fly outbreaks and quarantines, visit APHIS’ Exotic Fruit Flies webpage.