May 16, 2019

First Medfly threat a significant memory for longtime California official

California’s first Medfly threat is a significant memory for longtime official James Deese.

He recalled the circumstances recently in a video series from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).

Deese served in a variety of roles including deputy secretary during his 27-year tenure with the department. He recalled how first the invasive fruit flies – which can infest dozens of fruit an vegetable crops – were combated simply by spraying pesticide. An alternative program involving the release of sterile insects was eventually developed.

The CDFA is celebrating its 100th anniversary as a state agency in 2019 with a series of videos and other items on its official blog.