Policy, Sus Ag, Etc
sal (sals@coyote.rain.org)
Tue, 15 Aug 95 07:40:36 PDT
I would like to talk about the USDA allowing bug infested Mexican Avocados in to the U.S.A. We just got done fighting mid fly in Ventura County. The persimulas mite (sorry about my spelling) that come from Mexico is slowly killing off our trees now. The persimulas mite eats all the leafs off the trees. Its not an easy one to stop. I don't understand The U.S.D.A. was just trying to heavily regulate bio-controls because of the damage they might cause 10 or 20 yrs. from now yet they want to bring in Avocados that may destroy the Cal. Avocado farmer. "Whos side are these folks on?
The Mexican Avocados have been band because of insects for years because of the bugs down there that we don't have here. What happen is there no longer a pest problem there. I doubt it. NOt only will avocado prices drop but who know what kind of bug problems this will cause. In Ventura County because of the med fly they were quarantine and could not sell their fruit also the people had to be sprayed with pesticide over and over again to get rid of the bug. I don't think bringing in avocados that may have worse bugs will help us control bugs. I don't raise that much avocados but I hate being sprayed and I feel that there will be more out brakes because of this action. Can someone tell me why bringing in these avocados will help avocados farmers here in the good old U.S.A. HOw can they quarantine our fruit and not let us sell it yet welcome the Mexican fruit that may well destroy our market? Lets talk about this.