Comment from Richard Gaskalla

Subject: Docket No. APHIS-2011-0031-001 To Whom It May Concern: The Florida Department Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Plant Industry (FDACS’ DPI) reviewed Federal Register Docket No.APHIS-2010-0031 regarding the importation of pitaya (Hylocereus spp.) and pomegranate (Punica granatum) from Mexico into the continental United States. FDACS’ DPI does not support the importation of pitaya and pomegranates from Mexico into Florida as this crop has shown to be a host for several species of economically important fruit flies (Anastrepha species and Mediterranean fruit fly) as well as many other surface feeding arthropods that could be an economic threat to Florida agriculture. The phytosanitary measure of utilizing irradiation at an absorbed dose of 150 Gy does not fully remove the possible risk of introduction of exotic fruit flies and does not address any of the surface feeding species of arthropods. FDACS’ DPI requests that shipments not be permitted entry into Florida until the shipping protocol has had sufficient time to demonstrate the effectiveness of the cited mitigation measures. Regards, Richard Gaskalla Division Director Division of Plant Industry (352) 372-3505, Ext. 106