Commissioner Adam H. Putnam

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The Caribbean Fruit Fly-Free Protocol

Florida Laws | FAQ | Forms | Related Links | Contact

The Caribbean Fruit Fly-Free Protocol is a body of regulations under which fresh Florida citrus fruit may be certified free of the Caribbean fruit fly and shipped to those domestic and foreign markets that have established regulations for this pest. Japan, Bermuda, and the states of California, Hawaii, and Texas have accepted this certification protocol, thereby eliminating the need for post-harvest treatments of citrus fruits.

Florida Laws

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is required in order for a grove to participate in the Caribbean Fruit Fly-Free Protocol?
    If certification is based on negative trapping in early season (August 1 - December 20), the area must be at least 300 acres and located 1 ½ miles from residential or other areas containing preferred hosts (common guava, Cattley guava, Surinam cherry, rose apple and loquat.) If certification is based on negative trapping in standard season (December 21 - end of harvest season), the area must be at least 300 acres and located three miles from residential or other areas containing preferred hosts. It is the responsibility of the grower/participant to negotiate with the property owner for host removal.

    If certification is based on aerial bait sprays, a minimum of 40 acres will qualify as a designated area. There are several methods available for certification under bait-spray provisions: early season, 300 feet from areas containing preferred hosts with bait spray applications; standard season. 300 feet from areas containing preferred hosts with bait spray applications every 7-10 days for 28 days; and standard season, one-half mile from areas containing preferred hosts with bait-spray applications.

  2. What is the cost to participate in the Caribbean Fruit Fly-Free Protocol?
    The cost is $3.50 per acre, per month in the designated area. The participant will be billed monthly following the initial placement of traps in the area. If only one participant is in the 300 acres, that person will be responsible for the entire 300 acres and the total billing. If more than one participant has requested traps in a negative area, the cost will be divided proportionally.

  3. What if Caribfly is found in your designated area or the surrounding buffer zone?
    Depending on exactly what is found (adult fly or larva, number of adult flies, etc.) and how widespread an infestation might be, your area may be withdrawn for the remainder of the season or suspended until spraying and trapping are completed.

  4. Who is responsible for the cost and application of bait sprays?
    The grower is responsible for the cost and application of bait sprays. The Division of Plant Industry personnel will monitor for compliance.

  5. What is the most important action one can take to assure that the grove area qualifies for inclusion in the program?
    The grower should remove all preferred host plants near the grove and in the buffer zone surrounding the area to be included in the program.

  6. Must the entire 300-acre designated area consist of fruit destined for Japan, Bermuda, California, Texas or Hawaii?
    No. However, since this is the area which must be trapped, you will be charged for the entire 300 acres.

  7. Can groves owned by different growers be combined to make up the 300-acre minimum?
    Yes. The charges will be divided accordingly.

  8. What is early season certification?
    Research has confirmed that early-season citrus is a very poor host for the Caribfly. Based on this research data, procedures have been established for growers to ship certified citrus with fewer restrictions from August 1 to December 20.

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Forms

Please follow the instructions provided below when printing and completing the forms listed.

  1. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view or print forms. Skip this step if Adobe Reader is already installed on your pc.
  2. Print forms on white 8 1/2" x 11" paper.
  3. Type or print the entire form in blue or black ink.
  4. If fees are required, make check(s) payable to: FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES.
  5. Mail payment(s) to: FDACS-Plant Industry, Post Office Box 147100, Gainesville, Florida 32614-7100.

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Related Links

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Contact

If you have any questions, please contact:
Laird Weaver
E-mail Martin.Weaver@freshfromflorida.com
3501-0-03 South US 1, 002
Ft. Pierce, Florida 34982
Phone: (772) 468-4092
Fax: (772) 468-4095

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