The Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Government of Mexico, through the National Agri-Food Health, Safety and Quality Service (Senasica), notified the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) of the Mediterranean fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) eradication in the urban area of Cancún, Quintana Roo, due to the fact that more than three biological cycles have passed with the absence of the pest.

The Agriculture agency indicated that after the detection of an adult specimen of the pest, on June 19, in the urban area of Cancún, a brigade of 14 technicians arrived at the site to implement delimitation actions through traps with specific attractants. and fruit sampling.

These measures, together with the destruction of fallen fruits and ground spraying with selective bait of natural origin, were maintained for more than 12 weeks, during which no additional detections of the insect were recorded.

Therefore, the general director of Plant Health of Senasica, Francisco Ramírez y Ramírez, in accordance with the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 8. Determination of the condition of a pest in an area, informed NAPPO the eradication of the Mediterranean fly in Cancun, with which Mexico ratifies its status as a country free of the plague.

International standards for phytosanitary measures are developed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with the purpose of facilitating trade and avoiding the use of unjustified barriers, not based on science.

The Mediterranean fly is one of the exotic pests with the greatest impact on global horticulture. Countries that have this pest in their territories are subject to quarantine restrictions that prevent them from exporting fruits and vegetables, so for Senasica it is a national priority to establish actions for its prevention, control and eradication.

Since 1982, Mexico has been free of the Mediterranean fly, which has allowed national producers to market their fruits and vegetables to international destinations.