Pest Detection / Emergency ProjectsPest Exclusion Interior

California Department of Food and Agriculture

New Invasive Pest Response

Purpose of this Training

• Present information on operations that occur when an invasive pest is detected in California

• Coordinate roles between agencies

New Invasive PestsCalifornia is at risk for domestic and

international exotic pest introductions.

• Geographic location of the state• Infestations of pests in border countries• Large influx from outside U.S.• Importation of commodities from outside of

the U.S.• Increase in international travel• Increase in use of air cargo

New Invasive Pests in CaliforniaThe combination of these facts places

California at the top of the list of states at greatest risk and exposure to the establishment of invasive pests and diseases.

Additionally, California offers a wide variety of ecological niches where invasive pests can become quickly established.

Recent Statewide Events

• Over the past five years, an average of 10 new plant pests have been detected each year in California, some for the first time in the state and nation (Asian citrus psyllid, false codling moth, diaprepes root weevil, white striped fruit fly and European grapevine moth).

• Average seven eradication projects per year.

– Pest Detection Pest Detection • TrappingTrapping• SurveysSurveys

– Emergency ProjectsEmergency Projects• Eradicative TreatmentsEradicative Treatments

– Medfly Preventative ReleaseMedfly Preventative Release• Sterile Insect TechniqueSterile Insect Technique

Pest Detection / Emergency Projects

When an Invasive Pest Is Detected …

• Pest and Damage Report is completed.• “Heads Up” Call to PD/EP District

Entomologist• Expedite delivery of the sample to a

CDFA laboratory for identification• Specimens that are new to state and/or

county that are federal actionable pests are sent to the USDA’s Systematic Entomology Laboratory (SEL) in Beltsville, MD

Emergency Projects Role

• The primary objective of the emergency project component is to quickly and efficiently eradicate incipient infestations of serious agricultural pests, thereby preventing permanent establishment and subsequent spread in California

• Emergency response is triggered when there is evidence of a breeding population (egg, larvae, mated female, multiple detections)

• CDFA maintains Action Plans for such unwanted agricultural pests

• Maintaining properly trained and equipped pest response teams situated at strategic locations around the State

Establishment of Eradication Boundaries

• Follows biological, political, geographic or other describable lines

• Threatened & Endangered species issues

• History of area (CAC involvement is crucial)

Legal Issues• Establishment of eradication authority for each pest

in each county – via Office of Administrative Law• Promulgate emergency regulations• Food and Agricultural Code Sections: 403, 5001,

5761-5763• Issuance of “Proclamation of an Eradication Project”

(PEP) - CDFA’s Secretary of Agriculture approves and signs the PEP within 24 hours of an exotic pest detection

• Refusals - Food and Agricultural Code Section 5401-5405 addresses abatement and inspection warrants

• Emergency projects are exempt from CEQA• Multiple year projects require an Environmental

Impact Report

The PEP is faxed and sent via overnight mail to local and state officials representing the affected area and agencies concerned with the project .

The PEP package includes:• Pest profile• Map of eradication area• Work plan describing actions to be taken

PEP PROCESS

Public Notification of Eradication Project

• Depends on the pestDepends on the pest• PEP is posted in the legal section of PEP is posted in the legal section of

newspaper (when not treating private newspaper (when not treating private property)property)

• Mail (invitation to public meeting)Mail (invitation to public meeting)• Notices left door-to-doorNotices left door-to-door• Public meetingsPublic meetings• Information is accessible via the Information is accessible via the

Internet:Internet: www.cdfa.ca.gov

Public Affairs

• Important to make direct contact in advance with the CDFA Public Affairs office and plan all media matters

• CAC and CDFA must coordinate the press releases

• Interviews/demonstrations• Public meetings – local contacts/issues

Public Affairs (con’t)• Select an appropriate site to

demonstrate the program activities to the media. Considerations:

– Safe area, out of the way area– No children, traffic, or other

complications– Coordinate in advance with CDFA

Public Affairs and CAC

Public Meetings• Central site with parking• Open house style• No seating or microphones for public• Maps/Handouts/posters• Cooperating agencies (CDPR, OEHHA,

Fish and Game)• Experts (Master gardener, local health

official, entomologist, toxicologist, vet)• Media spokesperson• Security (if needed)

Special IssuesRaised at Public

Meetings• Medical concerns – OEHHA Toxicologist• Product Q&A’s, Health assessments• Refusals• Special scheduling requests• Pest Identification

Other Outreach• Community meetings• Industry meetings• CDFA Exotic Pest Hotline

Project Activities• File Restricted Materials Permit and

Notice of Intent with county• Notify residents of scheduled

treatment date – door-to-door(24/48 hrs)

• Notify phone banks 800 491-1899• Media site (if needed)• Install weather station to determine

life cycles (if needed)

CDFA Pest Response Teams

• Provide / maintain crews– Specialized training, fruit cutting,

stripping, apply chemicals, trap and survey for pests. Medical monitoring and provide specialized pesticide safety training

– Appropriate (dedicated) equipment / materials

• Treatment Methods Varies

depending on the pest or life stage of the exotic pest

Emergency Projects

County Assistance• Resources/Staffing levelsResources/Staffing levels• ““Enforcement Role” (PUE / Regulatory)Enforcement Role” (PUE / Regulatory)• IndustriesIndustries• Group Interactions (Growers, Environmental)Group Interactions (Growers, Environmental)• Public Meetings/Political meetingsPublic Meetings/Political meetings• Environmental issuesEnvironmental issues• Rapid response capabilityRapid response capability• RefusalsRefusals

Quarantine Preplanning

• CDFA develops action plans for target pests• USDA identifies trading partner requirements

Quarantines are national and global issues• County Ag. Commissioners - Know what is in your

county Identify major stakeholders in advance

– Industry groups» Grower’s Associations» Nurserymen’s Associations

– Government agencies that would have a vested interest» County, State, and Federal » Local law enforcement

Fairgrounds and other potential project headquarter sites Local Landfills

Quarantine PreplanningStakeholders

• Urban Areas– Ports of Entry– Wholesale/Retail Markets– Wholesale Flower Markets– Cold Storage Facilities– Certified Farmers’ Markets– Swap Meets / Flea Markets– Fruit Vendors– Wholesale / Retail Nurseries– Yard Maintenance

Quarantine PreplanningStakeholders

• Rural Areas– Growers– Packinghouses– Harvesters– Haulers– Fresh Fruit Processing Facilities– Receivers of Fruit Culls and Byproducts

Quarantine Incident• Adult fly(s) trapped – # below quarantine

trigger

– Hold Notice issued to fly find property and adjoining properties with host material

– Locate site for project headquarters– Identify types/numbers of affected stakeholders– Review host list and identify crops being

harvested or near harvest– Contact affected industry groups– Prepare to respond within 24 hours of trigger

Quarantine Actions are Initiated• Adult / Larval Trigger has been reached

– Begin public relations campaign– Determine quarantine boundaries

– USDA, CDFA, and Agricultural Commissioner– Submit request to be quarantined letter to

CDFA Pest Exclusion– Set up affected stakeholders/grower meetings– Trace back of all Host Material that was grown

in and left area 30 days prior to first fly find – Contact local law enforcement

Bullseye Concept with Single Core

Bullseye Concept with Multiple Cores

Solano County

Find Sites and

Boundaries

• 13.5 mi2 SIT area• 114 mi2

quarantine area

Santa Clara

County Find Sites

and Boundaries• 10.8 mi2 SIT

area• 75 mi2

quarantine area

Los Angeles County

Find Sites and

Boundaries• 32.2 mi2 SIT

area• 72 mi2

quarantine area

Official Quarantine Enacted

Office of Administrative Law

• County request to be quarantined letter is submitted to OAL

• Quarantine boundaries are approved by OAL

Regulating Stakeholders

• Determine your role– Project support– Liaison with growers– PUE to monitor pre-harvest treatments– Field staff

• Identify possible problem work areas– English is not the primary language– Areas with heavy gang activity

• Quarantine violations– Notice of Proposed Action (NOPA)– Administrative hearings

Initial Response• CDFA and USDA on site within 24 hours

– Local CDFA Biologists– USDA rapid response teams

• All harvesting of Fruit Fly Host Material stopped

• Reg-Flex

• Door to door neighborhood contacts in core area(s)

CDFA and USDA• Establish a presence within the Q-

Area

– Set up Project Headquarters– Hire seasonal employees– Issue compliance agreements– Ensure all Host Material is safeguarded– Enforce quarantine rules and regulations– Public outreach