The Oriental Fruit Fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) is a destructive agricultural pest in many parts of the world. First found in Hawaii in the mid-1940s, it migrated to the U.S. mainland in the early 1960s. California and Florida experienced a large infestation in 2002 and 2015. The estimated gross value of loss from California’s 2015 infestation was over $16.4 billion. A great number of crops in California are threatened by the Oriental Fruit Fly including apples, apricots, bell peppers, figs, grapes, grapefruit, lemons, limes, melons, nectarines, oranges, peaches, pears, persimmons, plums, pomegranates, tangerines, tomatoes, walnuts, and more.
To prevent the spread of fruit flies via infested homegrown fruits and vegetables, residents and people moving through the fruit fly eradication area are urged not to move any fruits or vegetables from their property. Fruits and vegetables may be consumed or processed (i.e. juiced, frozen, cooked, or ground in the garbage disposal) at the property of origin. If they are not consumed or processed, dispose of them by double-bagging them in plastic bags and putting the bags in the garbage bin for collection.
Stay up-to-date with Riverside County notices through the Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office here.
What does this mean for residents and businesses?
Until the quarantine is lifted, the California Department of Food & Agriculture has established the following guidelines to prevent spread of the infestation. Full details, including a list of the affected fruits and vegetables (Section C), can be found here. A full list of affected crops by current infestations, including the Oriental Fruit Fly, can be found here.
Producers at the wholesale level:
- Articles and commodities covered, which have been commercially produced within the area under quarantine, are prohibited movement from or within the area under quarantine except in accordance with the following provisions:
- The commodity has been treated for Oriental fruit fly in a manner approved by the Secretary, is transported in a manner approved by the Secretary to preclude exposure to Oriental fruit fly, and is accompanied by a certificate, verifying compliance with the above requirements, issued by the Secretary or county agricultural commissioner; or,
- The commodity is moving for treatment for Oriental fruit fly or processing and in a manner approved by the Secretary to preclude exposure to Oriental fruit fly, and is accompanied by a written document affirming that movement has been authorized by the Secretary or county agricultural commissioner.
- Articles and commodities covered which have been commercially produced outside the area under quarantine are prohibited movement into the area under quarantine except when accompanied by a shipping document indicating the point of origin and destination and moved in accordance with the following provisions:
- The commodity is moving directly through the area under quarantine without delay in an enclosed vehicle or completely enclosed by a covering to prevent exposure to B. dorsalis; or,
- The commodity is destined to a wholesale or retail establishment and, if moving between 9:00 a.m. and sunset, is transported in an enclosed vehicle, or completely enclosed by a covering to prevent exposure to B. dorsalis; or, c. The commodity is destined to a commercial processing facility.
Producers at the retail level:
- Articles and commodities covered which have been commercially produced are prohibited movement from or within the area under quarantine except when the person in possession has a sales slip or other comparable document showing the commodity was purchased from a commercial establishment.
Residents or growers utilizing “backyard” production:
- Articles and commodities covered which have been non-commercially produced within the area under quarantine, including “backyard” production, are prohibited movement from the premises where grown except under written authorization of the Secretary or county agricultural commissioner.
- Articles and commodities covered which have been non-commercially produced outside the area under quarantine are prohibited movement into the area under quarantine except when the person in possession has signed a statement showing the commodity, amount, origin, destination, and date of transportation.
- Within the area under quarantine, no wholesale or retail establishment shall handle, sell or offer for sale any article or commodity covered unless such commodities at all times are maintained in a manner approved by the Secretary to preclude exposure to Oriental fruit fly.