VOICED : Tiny Asian pest puts squeeze on Florida fruit growers

The video discusses the severe impact of an oriental fruit fly outbreak on farmers in South Florida, particularly in Redland. Farmers like Noel Ruiz and Victoria Barnes face financial hardships due to quarantine measures that prevent the sale of their produce. The state has implemented measures like insecticide spraying and crop movement restrictions to combat the pest, which threatens Florida's $100 billion agriculture industry. The quarantine affects international trade, as countries may refuse fruit from Florida. Farmers are working to certify their produce for transport, but significant financial losses have already occurred.

What financial challenges are farmers like Noel Ruiz facing due to the fruit fly outbreak?

• Reduced need for employees

• Lower costs for pest control

• Increased sales and profits

• Difficulty in obtaining fresh fruit to sell

What are some of the measures taken by state officials to combat the fruit fly infestation?

• Reducing quarantine zones

• Encouraging more fruit imports

• Restricting crop movement and using insecticides

• Increasing fruit exports

Why is the fruit fly outbreak a significant threat to Florida's agriculture industry?

• It affects only a few types of fruits

• It threatens an industry worth over $100 billion

• It has no impact on market restrictions

• It is easily controlled with minimal effort

What is the main reason growers are trying to get their produce certified for transport?

• To avoid using insecticides

• To reduce production costs

• To salvage the rest of the season

• To increase local sales

What could happen if the fruit fly becomes established in Florida?

• Increased international demand for Florida fruits

• Unrestricted fruit shipments from Florida

• Countries without the fly will restrict fruit imports from Florida

• Immediate eradication of the fruit fly