This week, two specimens of the fruit fly were detected in the urban area of the Valparaiso region, in the town of San Esteban.
Producers in the region are concerned about this finding, as the region had been declared free of this insect in October 2013 via resolution # 2.403/2013.
Even though the fruit fly was detected in a non-productive area, the President of the Association of farmers of Los Andes, Veronica Arritola, said they would begin implementing eradication measures and the treatments required by each country of destination.
"The Protocol for this detection quarantines an area of a 7.2 km radius. The finding was made in a non-productive area, but it affects us so we are calling upon the community so they can help us take care of and protect our heritage as a country that is free of many quarantine pests," she told the local news Los Andes Online.
Veronica asked people to avoid bringing food and fruits from neighbouring countries and to report any acts that went against these protection measures.
The region is extremely important for Chilean agriculture, as it contributes to approximately one third of the national production of grapes and peaches, more than 40% of the avocado in the country and much of the production of custard apples, among other crops.