Man Fined $500 Under Medfly Quarantine Law

In the first application of a new California law, a Whittier man has been fined $500 for violating the Mediterranean fruit fly quarantine law that prohibits moving back yard produce out of the area, agricultural officials announced Wednesday.

Forest Dull, a farmer, was fined after his second offense, Los Angeles and Orange county agricultural officials said. Dull was charged with selling cherry tomatoes on Jan. 17 at the Fullerton Farmer’s Market in violation of the quarantine.

Officials said he signed a compliance agreement Oct. 23 saying he understood the terms of the quarantine and would abide by them, and that he repeated that promise at a Los Angeles County hearing.

Dull is the first person to be fined under a new state law that went into effect Jan. 1 and allows for administrative fines for violations of agricultural quarantines.

State law allows commercial growers outside areas that are quarantined because of infestation to sell their produce only if inspectors have certified that the produce has been treated to prevent infestation.

Los Angeles County will conduct aerial spraying of malathion tonight from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Area: 30 square miles encompassing the Verdugo Hills corridor, which includes parts of Burbank, Glendale and Sun Valley.

Precautions: Stay indoors; keep animals indoors; wash animal dishes and toys left outside; cover cars; keep doors and windows closed.

Information: Toll-free numbers for the Agricultural Commissioner: (800) 356-2894; (800) 225-1346.