The funds for this agreement are being provided to the cooperator to enhance the already existing fruit fly detection program within the state of florida

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded the Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Florida a $1 million cooperative agreement on June 1, 2026, to enhance the state's fruit fly detection program.

The recipient will conduct fruit fly trapping and surveillance activities targeting economically important species including Mediterranean fruit fly, Oriental fruit fly, and Mexican fruit fly across Florida. The project scope includes servicing 83,588 routine traps and 30,498 preventative release program traps, relocating 19,668 routine traps and 7,176 preventative release program traps, implementing quality assurance procedures to maintain program standards, and responding to exotic fruit fly outbreaks. Florida operates as a high-risk sentinel state with a multi-billion-dollar citrus and fresh vegetable industry; early detection activities support rapid response and eradication of invasive fruit flies before establishment can occur. The cooperative agreement runs through May 31, 2027, with place of performance in Florida. Work is conducted in accordance with the Fruit Fly Detection Manual standard operating procedures. The detection program benefits extend beyond Florida's borders to protect broader U.S. agricultural markets and trade value.

Activities

The cooperator will conduct fruit fly detection activities in accordance with standard operating procedures outlined in the fruit fly detection manual. Throughout the project 83,588 routine traps and 30,498 preventative release program (PRP) traps will be serviced, and 19,668 routine traps and 7,176 PRP traps will be RE-located. The project also contains a quality assurance (QA) process to ensure personnel are operating up to program standards. And the program will respond to any exotic fruit fly outbreaks that may occur. Deliverables and expected outcomes: the best method of mitigation is to provide for an early detection program follo WED by a rapid response and successful eradication. The benefits of a fruit fly detection program and a subsequent eradication program extend beyond florida's borders. To properly safeguard florida and U.S. Agriculture, fruit fly detection programs are the best and most time-tested mitigation tool. Since 2010 in florida, we have spent over 7.75 million dollars directly associated with eradication campaigns of the mediterranean fruit fly and the oriental fruit fly. Intended beneficiary(IES): allowing an economically important fruit fly to become established in florida would be disastrous to agriculture and eliminate current markets. The establishment of an economically important fruit fly would also have significant impacts on U.S. Agriculture as well as threatening the trade and overall value of U.S. Fruits and vegetables. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: N/a. Cost categories: personnel: $567,840; fringe benefits: $289,598.40; travel: $13,050; supplies: 116,480; contractual: $8,679.60; other: $4,352