The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has released FAQ for growers and residents within Exotic Fruit Fly (EFF) quarantine areas. Western Growers has provided this FAQ document to include additional relevant information for growers.

This FAQ document is an outcome of CDFAs Exotic Fruit Fly Task Force, of which Western Growers is a member. Additionally, this FAQ will be shared widely with county ag commissioners, master gardeners, farm bureaus and any applicable task forces in the affected counties.

The industry can help spread the word about the EFF situation by:

• Reminding fellow industry members of the importance of following quarantine regulations and encourage them to invest in pre-harvest treatments.
• Reporting any suspected invasive fruit fly sightings to CDFA, USDA, or your local County Agricultural Commissioner.
• Encouraging area residents to avoid moving any homegrown produce from their properties and to cooperate with agriculture officials working in their area.
• Helping to spread the “Don’t Pack a Pest” message to travelers or those receiving produce in the mail or through other shipping channels.
• Sharing social media posts created or shared by CDFA, USDA, or County Agricultural Commissioners.

Please contact Jeana Cadby ([email protected]) with any questions regarding this FAQ and further EFF information.