v OFFICE OF GOVERNOR WILLIAM P. CLEMENTS JR. July 27, 1981 For Immediate Release: Governor Bill Clements today issued a procianatier callirn for inspection of California produce enterinn Texas to determine if it has been inspected and approved under federal quarantine procedures. The proclamation is limited to inspections and, is not a quarantine process. It was issued due to failure of California Governor Brown to institute measures to control the spread of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly infestation when it was first discovered in California some four to six months ago. Governor Clements' proclamation calls for Texas Department of Agriculture inspectors and personnel of the Texas Department of Public Safety to stop motor vehicles entering the state at specific locations to determine if they are carrying California produce. Produce inspected and approved under federal quarantine regulations will be exempt from the proclamation's terms. All other produce originating in California will be inspected to determine if it is infested with the Mediterranean Fruit Fly. Any produce from the quarantined California counties not accompanied by documentation,or California produce found to be infested,will he destroyed immediately at the carrier's expense, or the carrier and produce will be denied entry into Texas. "The current and future food supply of Texas is in nreat danger, and we must act now to protect Texas consumers and the livelihood of our produce industry," Governor Clements stated. "Failure of the State of California's leadership to respond properly and responsibly to this crisis makes it necessary for me to use all available resources in the best interest of our state." Texas Department of Agriculture Reagan Brown's 30-day quarantine on California produce was lifted by U.S. District Judge Patrick Higginbotham soon after it went into effect. Judge Hioginbotham's temporary restraining order indefinitely prohibits Texas officials from enforcing the quarantine against fruit which may harbor the Mediterranean Fruit Fly.