[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 123 (Thursday, June 26, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 34439]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16716]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 123 / Thursday, June 26, 1997 / 
Notices  

[[Page 34439]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary
[Docket No. 97-056-1]


Declaration of Emergency Because of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly

    A serious outbreak of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis 
capitata (Wiedemann), is occurring in Florida.
    The Mediterranean fruit fly is one of the most destructive pests of 
over 200 species of fruits, nuts, and vegetables, especially citrus and 
stone fruits. The pest can develop rapidly and spread easily, causing 
severe damage to entire citrus and other fruit and vegetable growing 
areas. At least 43 countries are known to regulate in some manner for 
the Mediterranean fruit fly.
    As of June 2, 1997, an infestation of the Mediterranean fruit fly 
had been found in a portion of Hillsborough County, FL. The presence of 
this fruit fly in the continental United States could severely disrupt 
the fruit and vegetable industry due to the loss of export markets. The 
Florida agricultural industry, worth an estimated $6 billion annually, 
is based on continued trade in international markets. According to 
industry sources, in 1996 the value of Florida citrus exports, in fresh 
and juice form, was estimated at approximately $940 million.
    In cooperation with the State of Florida, the Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has initiated a program to eradicate 
this fruit fly infestation in Florida. The State of Florida is 
assisting APHIS in the funding of the program costs. However, APHIS 
resources are insufficient to meet the estimated $2.1 million needed 
for the Federal share. In addition, some of these resources may be 
needed to fund other, small scale emergencies before the end of the 
year.
    Therefore, in accordance with the provisions of the Act of 
September 25, 1981, 95 Stat. (7 U.S.C. 147b), I declare that there is 
an emergency which threatens the citrus and other fruit and vegetable 
growing industries of this country and hereby authorize the transfer 
and use of such funds as may be necessary from appropriations or other 
funds available to the agencies or corporations of the United States 
Department of Agriculture for the conduct of a program to detect and 
identify Mediterranean fruit fly infested areas, to control and prevent 
the spread of the Mediterranean fruit fly to noninfested areas in the 
United States, and to eradicate Mediterranean fruit fly wherever it may 
be found in the continental United States.

    Effective Date: This declaration of emergency shall become 
effective June 20, 1997.
Dan Glickman,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 97-16716 Filed 6-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-M