CBP intercepts fruit fly at Miami airport

CBP intercepts fruit fly at Miami airport U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Wednesday that an agency agricultural specialist intercepted what turned out to be a Mediterranean fruit fly at Miami International Airport when an inspector checked a package of 20 cherries being carried by a passenger on a flight arriving from Romania.
   The discovery of live fruit fly larvae occurred July 1, but the find was announced after the fruit was sent to a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection station in Miami. The seized fruit was cut, ground and destroyed under CPB supervision.
   The CBP noted the Mediterranean fruit fly, also known as the Med fly, is one of the world's most destructive pests, capable of attacking 260 different fruits, flowers, vegetables and nuts. If the Med fly became established in the United States, 'the estimated annual loss would be substantial,' a statement said.
   'These losses would come in the form of export sanctions, lost markets, treatment costs, reduction of crop yields, damaged fruits, premature fruit drop and plant diseases,” said Harold Woodward, director of Miami CBP operations. “CBP is dedicated in protecting America's agricultural and environmental resources from the introduction of foreign plant pests and animal diseases.'