Argentina's National Service for Agrifood Health and Quality (Senasa) has announced an emergency plan after Mediterranean fruit fly was detected last week in the province of Mendoza.

The pest was found on April 23 in the urban locality of La Consulta, in the Department of San Carlos within the Oasis Centro.

The government agency established a regulated area of 7.2km (4.5mi) around the detection zone, where new horticultural production regulations will apply along with phytosanitary measures for any lots that leave the area.

However, Senasa emphasized the phytosanitary emergency did not imply the loss of international recognition for Oasis Centro as a fruit fly-free area.

La Consulta residents have also been called upon to collect all fruit from backyard gardens and allow the entry of Mendoza Institute of Agricultural Health and Quality (Iscamen) officials to carry out control measures.

Photo: Daniel Feliciano, via Wikimedia Creative Commons

www.freshfruitportal.com