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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Mexican fruit fly is an invasive pest capable of |
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devastating crops throughout many parts of the Western Hemisphere, |
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and it is a particularly serious threat to Texas agriculture; and |
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WHEREAS, Native to central Mexico, Mexican fruit flies were |
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first detected in Texas in 1927; they are long-lived, highly |
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fertile, and highly mobile, and they can damage over 50 species of |
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fruits; although Mexican fruit flies have appeared repeatedly over |
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the years, eradication programs have thus far prevented them from |
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becoming an established pest in the continental United States; and |
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WHEREAS, A new Mexican fruit fly outbreak was confirmed in |
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the Lower Rio Grande Valley in February 2016, and as a result, parts |
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of Webb and Zapata Counties and many cities in the region were |
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placed under quarantine for the insect; while the quarantine is in |
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effect, residents in the affected area should refrain from |
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transporting fruit outside the quarantine sector in order to avoid |
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spreading the pest; fruit grown in the yard should not be given to |
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friends or neighbors but rather picked and stored inside the house; |
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unwanted or fallen fruit should be double bagged for disposal; and |
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WHEREAS, The citrus industry is a crucial component of the |
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South Texas economy, and citizens have an important role to play in |
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stopping the spread of a pest that threatens the vitality of |
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agribusiness in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond; now, therefore, |
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be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize January as Mexican Fruit Fly Awareness |
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Month and encourage all Texans to learn more about ways to stop the |
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proliferation of the Mexican fruit fly. |
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Martinez |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 379 was adopted by the House on March |
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2, 2017, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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