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News Release

California Department of Food and Agriculture

Media Contacts: Steve Lyle, CDFA Public Affairs (916) 654-0462 or slyle@cdfa.ca.gov,

California Department of Food and Agriculture
Release #09-093
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QUARANTINES ESTABLISHED IN NORTHERN SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOR MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT FLY AND ASIAN CITRUS PSYLLID

SACRAMENTO, November 18, 2009 – Two separate quarantines have been established in Northern San Diego County. One for a Mediterranean fruit fly infestation and the other for an Asian citrus psyllid infestation.

From October 29-November 1, three Medflies were taken from traps in the Fallbrook area of San Diego County, triggering a quarantine of approximately 79 square miles. A map of the quarantine zone is available at: http://pi.cdfa.ca.gov/pqm/manual/pdf/maps/3406MedFlyFallbrook.pdf

CDFA crews are already conducting eradication procedures in the Fallbrook area. Aerial release of sterile Medflies is being released at a rate of 250,000 sterile flies per square mile per week. The release area is approximately 9.33 square miles. A map of the sterile fly release zone is available at: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/pdep/treatment/maps/MED_SIT_FALLBROOK_09_GMAP_110209.pdf

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. CDFA crews are working with local growers, packing houses, transporters, farmers’ markets and other related facilities to ensure compliance with the quarantine regulations.

Additionally, an adult Asian citrus psyllid was trapped in the Valley Center area of San Diego County, resulting in a quarantine extension in north central San Diego County of approximately 977 square miles. CDFA and USDA are working with county officials and growers to implement the quarantine. A map of the quarantine zone is available online at:

http://pi.cdfa.ca.gov/pqm/manual/PDF/maps/3435ACPImperialRiversideSanDiego.pdf

The Asian citrus psyllid can carry the disease huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease. All citrus and closely related plant species are susceptible host plants for both the Asian citrus psyllid and HLB. There is no cure for HLB once a citrus tree becomes infected. The diseased tree will produce inedible fruit and decline in health until it dies. California remains free of HLB.

Agricultural shipments from the quarantine zones are restricted by regulations designed to minimize movement of potentially infested commodities. Residents and people moving through the quarantine zone are urged not to remove fruits and vegetables from the area. The quarantine requires that local residents not move home-grown fruits and vegetables from the property of origin and to consume fruits and vegetables on-site.

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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