[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 20, 1999)] [Notices] [Page 38885] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-18437] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Office of the Secretary [Docket No. 99-004-1] Declaration of Emergency Because of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly in Mexico A serious outbreak of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), is occurring in Chiapas, Campeche, and Tabasco, Mexico. The Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) is one of the most destructive pests of over 200 species of fruits, nuts, and vegetables, especially citrus and stone fruits. Infestations 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 Medfly. In cooperation with the governments of Mexico and Guatemala, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) conducts activities in Mexico and Guatemala to maintain a sterile Medfly barrier in western Guatemala to prevent the spread of Medfly through Mexico and into the United States. This program is called the Moscamed Program. During the summer and fall of 1998, APHIS and cooperators in Mexico detected 253 infestations of Medfly in the States of Chiapas, Campeche, and Tabasco, Mexico. Over 160 infestations are currently active in the State of Chiapas. Mexico has initiated programs to eradicate the infestations, but does not have the resources to eradicate the Medfly and keep the Moscamed Program running without assistance from the United States. The establishment of Medfly in the continental United States could severely disrupt the fruit and vegetable industry due to crop damage and loss of export markets. An economic assessment completed in 1993 estimates that if Medfly were established in the continental United States, losses attributed to the Medfly would cost $1.5 billion annually. Keeping Mexico free of Medfly will greatly reduce the risk that this pest will be introduced into the United States. Fruit fly experts predict that if the pest is allowed to continue to spread in Mexico, the Medfly will reach the U.S. border by the year 2005. Therefore, in accordance with the provisions of the Act of September 25, 1981, 95 Stat. 953 (7 U.S.C. 147b), I declare that there is an emergency that threatens the citrus and other fruit and vegetable industries of this country, and I authorize the transfer and use of such funds as may be necessary from appropriations or other funds available to the United States Department of Agriculture to conduct a program to detect, control, and prevent the spread of the Medfly in Mexico, in order to prevent its introduction into the United States. EFFECTIVE DATE: This declaration of emergency shall become effective July 9, 1999. Dan Glickman, Secretary of Agriculture. [FR Doc. 99-18437 Filed 7-19-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-34-P