The Tuesday Farmers Market in downtown Culver City saw a host of state and local officials on August 27, 2024, lauding the end of the worst fruit fly infestation in a hundred years.
“Invasive fruit flies are among the most destructive and costly pests globally, threatening more than 400 species of fruits and vegetables, including many of California’s most valuable crops such as oranges, grapes, mangoes, blueberries, and tomatoes,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny L. Moffitt. “The eradication of these pests marks a major victory for California’s agricultural economy.”
Representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture in collaboration with County Agricultural Commissioners, were proud to announce that after a year of hard work “We have eradicated all populations of invasive fruit flies from California. This significant achievement is a testament to [both]the hard work of our agencies and the critical support from the public.”
The 2023 invasive fruit fly outbreak was unprecedented, marking the worst of its kind in CDFA’s 100-year history. The outbreak included first-ever quarantines for Tau and Queensland fruit flies in the United States and Western Hemisphere. In response, USDA Secretary Thomas Vilsack allocated $103.5 million from the Commodity Credit Corporation to APHIS, enabling swift and effective action against the outbreak.
Mayor Yasmine Imani McMorrin also offered her remarks, thanking the state and federal officials for their success with this unprecedented infestation.
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross emphasized the importance of public cooperation in these efforts. “We are proud of what we have accomplished with the help of California residents. Your support was vital to eradicating these pests and remains essential in protecting our food supply and natural resources from future invasive threats.”
“We are deeply grateful for the public’s continued vigilance in keeping California free from invasive species. Together, we have turned one of our greatest challenges into a triumph,” said Secretary Ross.
For more information on invasive insects or plant diseases, visit HungryPests.com.
Paige Shewmaker
At the Culver City Farmer’s Market, L to R, Jose Arriaga, Orange County Agricultural Commissioner, Helene Wright, State Plant Health Director, Mark Davidson, US Dept. of Agriculture, Jenny Lester Moffitt, USDA, Marketing and Regulatory Programs Undersecretary, Christine Birdsong, CDFA, Undersecretary, Victoria Hornbaker, CDFA, Director of Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Division, and David Pegos, California Dept. of Food And Agriculture.
