Medfly quarantine creates challenges

Nigel Walker, a subscription farmer who organically grows 50 different crops on 65 acres inside the quarantine zone in Solano County, is taking his customers produce boxes that contain only non-host items.

The anxiety level among Solano County farmers was very high when the news of a Mediterranean fruit fly infestation and subsequent crop quarantine was first announced, according to Solano County Farm Bureau President Eric Warnken.

"But anxiety lessened some as growers learned they would be allowed to send their crops under compliance agreements," he said.

The earliest the existing Medfly quarantine could be lifted is July 8, 2008. That's what regulators are telling farmers as they explain about the 114-square-mile quarantine zone in the area of Dixon. Meantime, airplanes release a million and a half sterile male Medflies twice a week over the quarantine area as part of the eradication effort.

Processing tomatoes are the main crop affected now by the restrictions.

"There are also peppers being grown in the quarantine zone, and walnuts which will be impacted when that harvest begins in a few weeks," said Solano County Agricultural Commissioner Jerry Howard.

Thus far 12 adult Medflies and 33 larvae have been found in peach trees in residential areas of Dixon. DNA studies have shown the Medflies probably originated in Hawaii, which has regulators theorizing that the insects were brought into Dixon by a vacationer returning home and ignorantly bringing fruit containing maggots.

Even though processing tomato growers have signed compliance agreements and are able to ship fruit under restrictions, their costs have increased.

"The restrictions will reduce the amount of tomatoes in the tubs on the trucks by 20 to 33 percent," said Ross Siragusa, president of the California Tomato Growers Association. "Growers won't be able to mound the tomatoes as they have in the past. The alternative is to cover the tubs with tarps, but there is a limited tarp supply available."

Siragusa added that with the restrictions it would take more trucks to move the fruit to the processing plants.

In the longer term, Siragusa said, "growers are concerned about next year. The earliest the quarantine would end is next July. Farmers wonder if canneries would be willing to sign contracts with those whose ground is in the quarantine zone knowing there will be restrictions possibly still in place."

Warnken said that farmers who have attended meetings held to explain the quarantine and compliance agreements have all expressed that their No. 1 concern is that no one spreads the Medflies any further. He said this has also brought random acts of kindness from farmers and canners.

"One tomato farmer had a load ready to move to the cannery right after the restrictions went into effect. He didn't have a contract with the Campbell plant, which is in the quarantine zone, but Campbell took his load and processed it," Warnken said.

Nigel Walker is a subscription farmer who organically grows 50 different crops on 65 acres inside the quarantine zone.

"I'm the USDA and CDFA's worst nightmare. I take boxes of fruits and vegetables all over the Bay Area on a weekly basis. But, I don't want to spread the bug. So, I'm taking my customers boxes that contain only non-host items," he said.

Walker added a story about acts of kindness.

"Neighbors outside the quarantine zone have offered me tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables from their farms and told me to pay when I can," he said.

Even though he is taking a financial hit, Walker said he supports the quarantine.

"I don't want to be responsible for spreading the Medfly to other farmers," he said. "I tell my fellow farmers to not be mad at the regulators, be mad at the ignorant tourist or tourists who brought the insect in from Hawaii."

Walker and Warnken both commended ag commissioner Howard for his fast action in alerting the community to the problem. They also added praise for the quick action in establishing protocols for farmers in harvest to allow them to continue their work.

"Tomato harvest is peaking in the zone. They will finish in a couple weeks. The fruit has to be picked before it becomes overripe and farmers lose quality, meaning less money, when the tomatoes arrive at the cannery," Siragusa said.

Walker said he is considering inviting his customers to a "Beat the Medfly" party on his farm. If the tomatoes and peppers are cooked they can be moved, so he may have a big cooking festival and make salsa, baked chili peppers and other tomato products.

Walker has 15 employees, and said he hopes he will be able to generate enough income to keep them working. His winter vegetables such as kale, chard, spinach and lettuce are a couple weeks from maturing. Meantime, he said his customers' boxes have only $12 worth of produce when they usually have $24.50 worth. But, his customers have been notified by e-mail of the situation, and most are supportive.

Subscription farmers have urban customers who pay in advance for a box of produce, some every week, some every other week. Walker has tree fruit such as peaches, plums and apples as well as tomatoes and peppers. He has 800 subscribers, mostly in the Bay Area. He started his business about seven years ago.

Howard said that plans are being prepared for walnut growers who will start their harvest in a few weeks. The regulators want to allow farmers to operate, but do not want the Medfly to spread.

Inspectors continue to check the traps. The length of the quarantine depends on when the last wild Medfly is found. The zone could also be expanded if wild Medflies are found in traps beyond the location in Dixon where they have been located thus far.

(Ron Miller is a reporter for Ag Alert. He may be contacted at rmiller@cfbf.com.)