Farm Compliance

Oakland, California - United States Customs and Border Protection made a significant interception last week while inspecting a sea container shipment from India containing Eastern Indian Spices. A CBP agriculture specialist discovered live adult Khapra Beetles, Trogoderma granarium, and seeds of the Federal Noxious Weed, Asphodelus fistulosus.

The Khapra Beetle is is considered to be one of the most destructive pests of grain, cereal products and seeds in the world. It is a federal quarantine pest and is not known to occur in the United States. The Khapra Beetle is now established in much of Asia and Africa and became temporarily established in the U.S., but was eradicated in 1966.

This is only the sixth time live Khapra Beetle have been intercepted in California. The risk is so great in regards to a potential Khapra Beetle outbreak that the United States Department of Agriculture has stated “The risk is too great to allow any further manipulation of the infested/non-infested portions of the shipment. The entire shipment should be sealed, refused entry, and re-exported.”

This interception is evidence of the talent, training and commitment of agriculture specialists at Customs and Border Protection.