𝗨𝗦𝗗𝗔 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗮 – 𝗠𝗮𝘆 & 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲
𝗨𝗦𝗗𝗔 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗮 – 𝗠𝗮𝘆 & 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲
The Town of Canandaigua has been notified that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will conduct an invasive insect survey in select areas of the town during May and June. The focus of this effort is to detect and address the presence of the European Cherry Fruit Fly (ECFF), an invasive pest that poses a serious threat to cherry trees and honeysuckle bushes.
Survey and Property Access
As part of this initiative, USDA staff may approach private property owners in affected areas to request permission to conduct surveys. USDA representatives will:
-
Travel in clearly marked vehicles
-
Wear safety vests
-
Carry official USDA identification
We encourage residents to cooperate with USDA personnel, as these efforts are essential to protecting our community’s agricultural resources and natural landscape.
About the European Cherry Fruit Fly (ECFF)
The European Cherry Fruit Fly is a highly destructive invasive insect that targets cherry trees and honeysuckle bushes, including those commonly found along roadsides. In severely infested areas, ECFF has the potential to destroy up to 100% of cherry crops, making early detection and containment critical.
Containment and Quarantine Measures
When ECFF is detected:
-
State officials may establish intrastate quarantines to contain the pest within New York.
-
Federal authorities (USDA) will implement interstate quarantines to prevent its spread to other states.
These measures help regulate the movement of host fruits, nursery plants, and potentially infested materials.
How Residents Can Help
To support efforts to manage and prevent the spread of ECFF, residents are encouraged to:
-
Cooperate with USDA survey teams and, if necessary, allow treatments on their property
-
Follow quarantine restrictions in any identified infested zones
-
Declare all food, live animals, and plant products when entering the U.S.
-
Be aware that cherries from Quebec and Ontario are prohibited from entering the U.S.; cherries from other Canadian provinces require proof of origin
By working together and staying informed, the residents of Canandaigua can help protect our local agriculture from the harmful effects of the European Cherry Fruit Fly.