Concerns about the Allium leafminer took National Onion Association (NOA) leaders and onion researchers to Washington D.C. this spring. The NOA’s Greg Yielding and Kay Riley, along with onion researchers Brian Nault of Cornell University, Stuart Reitz with Oregon State University and Tim Waters with Washington State University, met with the deputy administrator for USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine to discuss concerns about the pest.
While the Allium leafminer has only been found in the northeastern U.S., the fear of it traveling to other areas of the country is the main concern. The insect has been de-listed as a quarantine pest at the federal level. However, under the APHIS Federally Recognized State Managed Phytosanitary program, the feds will prevent produce from states where the pest has been found from entering states in the program. California is the only state that has an active quarantine. Oregon’s plan is pending, and Washington may be next on the list.
Source: NOA
