Help Worcester County Eliminate the Asian Longhorned Beetle

Posted on October 19, 2016 by southernipmcenter

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today is reminding the public of the state and federal regulations to ensure the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) does not spread to other areas from the quarantine in Worcester County, Mass.  Regulations that restrict the movement of woody material, such as firewood, reduce the likelihood of spreading the tree-killing pest.

“Preventing the spread of the Asian longhorned beetle to areas outside of the quarantine is critical to eliminating the beetle from Massachusetts, and this cannot be done without the help of property owners and business owners in the state,” said APHIS ALB Eradication Project Manager Ryan Vazquez. “Recently, we have seen tree material move outside the regulated area, and that is why we are reminding the public to adhere to the regulations, especially when stocking up on firewood for the winter.” Continue reading →

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APHIS Removes the Mexican Fruit Fly Quarantine in the Bayview Area of Cameron County, Texas

Posted on October 19, 2016 by southernipmcenter

Effective September 23, 2016, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) removed the Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantine in the Bayview area of Cameron County, Texas.

On May 27, 2016, APHIS established a Mexfly quarantine in Cameron County after confirming one Mexfly larva in Bayview, Texas. The quarantine restricted the interstate movement of regulated articles from that area to prevent the spread of the Mexfly to non-infested areas of the United States. Since that time, APHIS has worked cooperatively with the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas citrus industry to eradicate the transient Mexfly population using approved eradication protocols.

APHIS removed the quarantine area after three lifecycles passed without finding additional Mexflies in this area. The following designated website contains a description of the current federal fruit fly quarantine areas:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-health/ff-quarantine

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Draft Pest Risk Assessment for Review & Comment: Importing Live Alternanthera Plants Denmark

Posted on October 19, 2016 by southernipmcenter

The government of Denmark has requested the U.S. allow importation of live plants of Alternanthera reineckii Briq. in approved growing media from Denmark into the continental United States and Alaska. APHIS has drafted a pathway-initiated risk assessment for this request. The comment period will close in 30 days.

If you would like to review the document or provide comments, refer to the Stakeholder Risk Assessment Consultation page at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-health/risk-assessment-consultation.

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