Purpose

To facilitate the shipment of hay and straw from RIFA quarantined areas to non-infested areas without individual signed certificates of inspection from TDA

Policy

The Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) is a serious nuisance to people, plants, animals, and property in many areas of Texas.  Fire ants are aggressive and frequently sting people and animals when their nests are disturbed.  The stings, to some, can be life threatening.  Because RIFA continues to spread and increase in density, recreational and work activities of individuals may be limited.  In rural communities, the RIFA interferes with farming practices by injuring livestock and damaging crops and farm machinery.  In addition, the RIFA often causes damage to property by getting into electrical and communications equipment.

TDA intends to continue its role as the leading state agency in knowledge and enforcement of fire ant quarantine rules and regulations.  The enclosed map shows the Texas counties quarantined for the RIFA.  A list of regulated articles that require a certificate or permit for movement from a quarantined area is given on the other side of the map.  There are no restrictions imposed on the movement of regulated articles within quarantined areas unless the articles originate on infested properties and an inspector determines that a hazard of spread exists.

Concerns of hay producers in Texas about fire ant quarantine restrictions have prompted the development of guidelines for the movement of hay and straw from quarantined areas to non-infested areas.  At present, there is no chemical treatment to control RIFA in hay or straw. 

Authorization

Title 4, Texas Administrative Code, §19.100-19.103.

Responsibility

Texas Department of Agriculture, Regulatory Division

Guidelines

The following will serve as general guidelines to aid in slowing the spread of the RIFA into non-infested areas:

1. Regulated articles include baled hay and baled straw stored in direct contact with the ground.
2. When cutting and baling hay or straw, visible mounds should be avoided (go around or stop equipment).
3. After baling, hay or straw should be removed from contact with the soil as soon as possible.

Guidelines

4. Hay or straw must be stored in a manner that prohibits contact with the soil.  Hay or straw that is stored in contact with the soil is not eligible for shipment outside the quarantined area. 

The intent of these guidelines is to facilitate the shipment of hay and straw from RIFA quarantined areas to non-infested areas without individual signed certificates of inspection from TDA.  Road station inspections in Texas will be conducted to check for the presence of RIFA.  If RIFA is found, the shipment would be sent back to its origin, seized or destroyed.

Exceptions

A.    Exception for movement of hay through a free area to a quarantined area, within Texas:

a.       Hay or straw must be removed from contact with the soil and stored in a manner described in #5 below, for a minimum of 2 weeks prior to shipment.

b.      Shipment must be free of RIFA.

c.       Shipment may not stop (except for normal traffic stops) while moving across a free area

d.      Shipping in this manner is only allowed in Texas from a quarantined county, through a non-quarantined county, to a quarantined county.

1. Hay or straw to be shipped outside the quarantined area must be stored on a concrete slab, on a pallet with heavy plastic/tarp beneath containing no holes/tears, or in a manner above the ground with no direct contact.  Plastic or tarp used during storage should extend 2 feet beyond the edge of the bale.  The objective is to prevent the colonization of the RIFA on or in hay bales.
2. Perimeters of storage facilities should be treated with approved bait at least 2 times per year.  Any mounds detected within the facility should be treated immediately
3. Equipment used for transportation of hay or straw should be inspected by the producer/shipper to insure that fire ants are not present.  If fire ants are detected on transportation equipment, measures must be taken to remove them prior to shipment.

Violations