Corrective action plans (emergency action plans) should be developed in case target species of fruit fly are detected within the FF-PFA after establishment of the FF-PFA. Corrective action plans should take into account the biology of the fruit fly concerned, the geography of the FF-PFA area, climatic conditions and host distribution within the area. The elements to consider in designing a corrective action plan include:
1. Criteria for the declaration of an outbreak/incursion, determination of the outbreak area and period of FF-PFA suspension
Occasionally a single piece of fruit infested with larvae of target fruit fly species may enter the FF-PFA. This may result in the detection of a single male or female fruit fly. In most cases this level of incursion may not result in the establishment of a population within the FF-PFA. To be able to deal with varying levels of detection of target fruit fly species within the FF-PFA, criteria for managing small and larger detections should be determined.
1.1 Declaration of an outbreak and suspension of FF-PFA
The number of flies, time period and area over which target species are detected will serve as triggers or criteria for suspension of FF-PFA status. These triggers or criteria are generally negotiated and agreed upon with prospective trading partners.
Following the declaration of an outbreak and suspension of FF-PFA status, it will be necessary to determine different zones around an outbreak area and the period of time during which the FF-PFA status is removed. These may include:
the suspension zone, which would comprise the area where FF-PFA status has been suspended (the entire FF-PFA area need not be suspended if it can be demonstrated through surveillance activities that the outbreak remains localized within a small area of the total FF-PFA). Host commodities may not leave this area without an alternate phytosanitary measure.
outbreak zone(s) or areas, which would comprise the area/s within the suspension zone where control measures will be implemented to eradicate the suspected population of target fruit fly species.
the FF-PFA suspension period (or length of time that the suspended area of the FF-PFA should remain without FF-PFA status after control measures for the target species of fruit fly have ceased) will also need to be determined. The period of suspension is generally based on the generation time of the target species of fruit fly. The purpose of this period is to prove that the target species of fruit flies has been eradicated from the previously infested area.
The size and number of zones will depend on the circumstances in the FF-PFA and on the biology of the particular fruit fly species concerned. The zones should be defined according to size, location in relation to the finding of the fruit fly(ies) and, where appropriate, the number and distribution of supplementary traps.
2. Control measures in the identified zones
These may include:
setting the time period for the implementation and continued application of control measures;
determining and mapping the relevant zones;
informing relevant personnel and agencies (and providing contact details);
initiating and defining delimiting surveys (including supplementary trapping, the frequency of trap checking and the amount of fruit sampling;
rapid identification of target fruit fly species;
eradication actions (chemical treatments, use of sterile insect techniques, destruction of affected fruit etc.);
post-control monitoring (procedures and time scale); and
implementing regulatory controls to prevent movement of host material through or from suspension zone.
3. Criteria for reinstatement of a FF-PFA after an outbreak and actions to be taken
The criteria for determining that eradication has been successful should be determined and the actions to be taken may include:
lifting suspensions of host commodity movement.
4. Notification of trading partners as appropriate
Trading partners should be notified in a timely manner when suspensions have been implemented or lifted. Timing of notifications may be detailed in bilateral arrangements between trading partners.
