The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has amended a federal order to prohibit cherries from the province of Quebec in Canada from entering the U.S.
APHIS said the measure is to prevent the introduction of the European cherry fruit fly after it was detected in the province and is an expansion of restrictions already in place for the province of Ontario.
The service said the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the presence of European cherry fruit fly in July 2022 in wild honeysuckle shrubs and an ornamental tree in a park in Quebec. CFIA expanded its regulated European cherry fruit fly zone to the entire province in June 2023.
CFIA says European cherry fruit fly larvae can cause 100% losses from feeding on fruit pulp, and the invasive pest can be introduced to new areas via infected fresh cherries, soil from areas where the pest is established or host plants grown in established areas.
APHIS said the only U.S. detection of European cherry fruit fly is in western New York, where it is under control. The service said it would be likely the invasive pest could establish populations in plant hardiness zones 2-6 or 7 in the northern U.S.
Restricted fruits from Quebec and Ontario include black cherry, mahaleb cherry, sour cherry and sweet cherry. APHIS said it will also restrict the importing of wild and honeysuckle fruit.
Imported cherries from all other provinces from Canada to the U.S. must have their origin verified by shipping documents or other proof of origin, according to APHIS.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
These restrictions are a good faith effort to keep this pest from infecting major fruit growing areas in the U.S. Unfortunately, it has already been discovered in not only Ontario and Quebec, but New York as well – another major U.S. cherry production area. Officials assure us that the infestation in New York is being contained. I must confess that I am a little skeptical based on some past experience as Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and dealing with the spread of Gypsy Moth and also the fruit fly that invaded California from the Far East. Once again, I am giving USDA the benefit of the doubt and assume they will keep this little pest under control. With that said, we still recommend putting all farmers/ranchers at the very top of your customer prospect list. Consider inviting them in for a parts or service special so they can experience your dealership and be sure to show them your new truck inventory and mention AgPack®.
