California State Seal

News Release

California Department of Food and Agriculture

Media Contacts: Steve Lyle, Director of Public Affairs, (916) 654-0462, slyle@cdfa.ca.gov, Larry Hawkins, USDA, (916) 930-5509

California Department of Food and Agriculture
Release #07-070
Print This Release

AIRPLANE TO RELEASE STERILE MEDFLIES OVER DIXON, LAND AT NUT TREE AIRPORT FRIDAY

Aircraft and a display of captive sterile flies will be available for video/photos


WHAT: A twin-turbine King Air plane carrying approximately 1.5 million sterile Mediterranean fruit flies will release its cargo over the Dixon area on Friday.  The plane will fly into the area at approximately 10:30 a.m. and begin releasing the sterile flies near Wiegand Park, at the corner of Wiegand Way and Fulmor Drive.  The plane will then land at Nut Tree Airport in Vacaville at approximately 11 a.m. and be available for video and photos.  A display case of captive sterile flies will also be available.


WHEN:  Friday, September 14, 2007
 10:30 a.m. Plane flies over Wiegand Park and begins releasing sterile flies
 11:00 a.m. Plane lands at Nut Tree Airport


WHERE:  Wiegand Park is at the corner of Wiegand Way and Fulmor Drive in Dixon, CA. (About 10 minutes northeast of the Nut Tree Airport).


Nut Tree Airport is at 301 County Airport Road in Vacaville, CA (take the Monte Vista exit from I-80).


WHY: The Medfly can infest over 260 types of fruits and vegetables, causing severe impacts on California agricultural exports and backyard gardens. A permanent infestation would result in estimated annual losses of $1.3 to $1.8 billion.


-30-


CDFA Protects
Follow CDFA News on Twitter and Facebook
California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Public Affairs
1220 N St., Ste. 214, Sacramento, CA 95814
916-654-0462, www.cdfa.ca.gov