ADVISORY #1 Mediterranean Fruit Fly Pre-Border Phytosanitary Measures

April 10, 2015 in National

Medfly-1Owing to the detection of the extremely destructive Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Ceratitis capitata), commonly known as the Med fly in the Dominican Republic and the potential of this pest to cause significant damage to the agricultural landscape particularly fruit trees of the Federation which would translate to serious economic damages to farmers, backyard gardeners and householders, the Department of Agriculture of St. Kitts and Nevis has effective immediately placed a temporary restriction on the import of plants (cut flowers and branches) and plant products (inclusive of fruits, vegetables, seeds, grains) from the Dominican Republic. The restriction will remain in effect until that country has successfully shown that satisfactory phytosanitary (plant health) measures have been employed to control and/or eradicate the pest.

This phytosanitary measure is necessary to minimize the introduction of the severely destructive Mediterranean Fruit Fly into the Federation where 267 registered crops farmers, the average householder and the environment would be at risk from this invasive alien species. In addition to this restriction, the Department has an active fruit fly surveillance program where the Ports of Entry and other high risk areas are monitored for exotic fruit flies.

The Department of Agriculture looks forward to your cooperation and continued collaboration as we work together to prevent the introduction of exotic pests into our Federation.