Press Release

Dore Mobley	(301) 734-7255
Jerry Redding	(202) 720-6959

USDA ANNOUNCES THE ERADICATION OF ORIENTAL FRUIT FLY IN CALIFORNIA

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2005—The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the eradication of the Oriental fruit fly in Orange County, Calif. The last finding of an Oriental fruit fly in the state was Sept. 29, 2004.

Additionally, APHIS is lifting the Oriental fruit fly quarantine in the state to relieve restrictions that are no longer needed to prevent the spread of the pest to noninfested areas of the United States. Orange County was the last remaining area in California that the United States quarantined for the Oriental fruit fly.

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

This interim rule was effective March 2 and is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

Consideration will be given to comments received on or before May 5. Send an original and three copies of postal or commercial delivery comments to Docket No. 02-096-4, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238. If you wish to submit a comment using the Internet, go to EDOCKET at http://www.epa.gov/feddocket, click on “View Open APHIS Dockets,” and locate agency Docket No. 02-096-4.

Comments are posted on the EDOCKET Web site and may also be viewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th St. and Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. , between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. To facilitate entry into the comment reading room, please call (202) 690-2817.

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