Cameron County is located in the southern-most tip of Texas near the Mexican border. The West Indian fruit fly is a very destructive pest of fruits and vegetables, including carambola, grapefruit, guava, limes, mangoes, oranges, passion fruit, peaches, and pears. The pest can cause serious economic losses by lowering the yield and quality of these fruits and vegetables and, in some cases, by damaging seedlings and young plants.
Heavy infestations can result in complete loss of crops.
This interim rule is scheduled to appear in the Jan. 22 Federal Register and becomes effective upon publication. Consideration will be given to comments received on or before March 20.