FINAL ACTION TO ERADICATE MEDFLY
Release No. 0331.97                                              

                                       Anna Cherry (301) 734-7253
                                           acherry@aphis.usda.gov
                                       Jim Borland (202) 690-0469
                                                jborland@usda.gov

USDA TAKES FINAL ACTION TO ERADICATE MEDFLY IN CONSULTATION WITH STATE OF
FLORIDA

     WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman took
further action today, after speaking with Florida Governor Lawton Chiles, to 
help ensure complete eradication of the Mediterranean fruit fly from the
Tampa, Fla., area.

     In consultation with the state of Florida, USDA has agreed to take
additional action which will allow for one final aerial application, the
release of sterile flies, and the continuation of the quarantine.  By
statute, this procedure is called a "declaration of extraordinary
emergency," which allows the federal government to take the necessary steps
to control and eradicate a pest or disease.

     "The Florida agricultural industry is worth an estimated $6 billion
annually and is based on continued trade in national and international
markets," said Glickman.  "In cooperation with the state of Florida, we
continue to move aggressively with all of our resources to complete the
eradication program in Florida, to protect our producers, our export
markets, and U.S. consumers."

     A recent Florida administrative law judge ruling that portions of the
state's emergency Medfly regulations are invalid made a declaration of
extraordinary emergency necessary.  

     "Based upon the life-cycle projection of the Medfly, the last aerial
application is necessary to destroy any remaining Medfly population," said
Terry Medley, administrator of USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service.  "Failure to eradicate this pest from Florida could severely affect
the state's fruit and vegetable industry, especially the $2 billion citrus
industry."

     Medflies were first found in the Tampa area May 28.  Since that time,
Florida officials, with the assistance of USDA, have quarantined parts of
Hillsborough, Manatee, Orange, Polk, and Sarasota counties to prevent the
spread of the Medfly to other areas and are conducting a nearly completed
eradication program.

     "By working together, USDA and the state of Florida have managed to
keep the quarantine and treatment program in a relatively concentrated area
and avoid wider action," said Glickman.

     The Medfly (Ceratitis capitata) is one of the world's most destructive
agricultural pests, threatening more than 250 kinds of fruits, nuts, and
vegetables.
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