Regulation of the Interstate Movement of Lemons from Areas Quarantined for Mediterranean Fruit Fly

We are amending the list of regulated articles in our domestic fruit fly quarantine regulations. The regulations have indicated that smooth-skinned lemons (all varieties of Citrus limon) harvested for packing by commercial packinghouses are not regulated articles for Mediterranean fruit fly. We are amending the regulations to designate all yellow lemons as regulated articles. This change is based on research indicating that, under certain conditions, yellow lemons are a host for Mediterranean fruit fly. As a result of this action, yellow lemons in an area quarantined for Mediterranean fruit fly will be subject to certain interstate movement restrictions in order to prevent the spread of that pest into uninfested areas of the United States.