State Takes Urgent Steps Against Medfly
State agriculture officials announced today they will begin immediate spraying to protect California’s $14-billion produce industry from an infestation of the voracious Mediterranean fruit fly.
The decision required a declaration of an emergency by Gov. George Deukmejian, who signed the order today after 16 Medflies were found in the Mountain View area since last week, said Gera Curry, Food and Agriculture Department spokeswoman.
The spraying of the pesticide malathion will take place in Northern California’s Santa Clara County.
To Start Today
Ground spraying was to begin about noon, and an aerial spraying will be completed on Friday if the weather is clear, the department said.
Beginning Sept. 18, the state will also release 30 million sterile Medflies a week until biologists decide that the infestation is over.
Medflies lay eggs in 250 varieties of fruits and vegetables--including citrus fruits, apples, cherries, avocados and tomatoes--and are capable of devastating California’s $14-billion annual agricultural industry.
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