Hass Avocados Removed as Host in Queensland Fruit Fly Quarantine

As noted previously in an email sent to growers at the end of October, the California Avocado Commission indicated it would work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to remove Hass avocados as a host for the Queensland Fruit Fly quarantine. These efforts commenced after CAC successfully partnered with the USDA to remove Hass avocados from the Oriental Fruit Fly quarantine in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, California.

The USDA has informed CAC that Hass avocados have been removed as a host for the Queensland Fruit Fly quarantine that includes parts of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. With this correction, the mandatory treatment requirements for fruit on tress within the quarantine area are removed. Other avocado varieties (e.g., Bacon, Zutano, etc.) within the quarantine area are still required to follow the established treatment protocols.  

As with Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Mexican Fruit Fly and Oriental Fruit Fly quarantines, the harvest, shipping and packing of Hass avocados from within the Queensland Fruit Fly quarantine region must comply with approved regulatory measures.

CAC will continue to work with USDA and CDFA on these fruit fly quarantines to ensure the harvest and transportation of fruit from within quarantine areas maintains the necessary safeguards to prevent the spread of the fruit fly while not creating unnecessary burdens on commercial avocado production. CAC will provide industry updates as additional information becomes available.