“For preventing the establishment of an invasive species through safer, more sustainable practices that reduce pesticide use and demonstrate significant economic benefit in California”
Medfly Preventive Release Program Director Ian Walters with CDFA’s Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Division accepted an award today from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s (DPR) Integrated Pest Management Achievement Awards program. CDFA Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Division Director Victoria Hornbaker was also on-hand for the ceremony.
The CDFA/USDA Medfly Preventive Release Program (PRP), created in 1996, is being recognized for its longstanding, successful efforts in preventing the establishment of the invasive Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) in California. The program, which covers 1,750 square miles across portions of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, uses sterile insect technique (SIT) to control Medfly infestations while reducing chemical use. SIT involves the release of sterile male medflies into target areas to reduce population growth of wild flies.
The CDFA/USDA Medfly PRP collaborates with domestic and international governments, universities, and private industry to increase efficacy of their program and share data to support similar programs around the world.
This highly effective program has successfully reduced the average number of annual Medfly infestations in California, while decreasing reliance on conventional pesticide use, protecting Californians from devastating environmental and economic losses, and providing economic value for agriculture in Southern California.
The awards are presented as part of DPR’s annual recognition of outstanding programs and organizations across the state that focus on using safe, effective, and sustainable pest management practices. Others honored today include Santa Cruz County’s Wild Farm Alliance and Benicia-based LakeTech Inc.