[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
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
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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
