Re: Welcome to California

[RuthWeiner@AOL.COM]

Off-topic, but...


Actually, produce is inspected not only at the California border, but from time to time  at the Washington State border and usually entering Canada.  Washington State tries to prevent carrying produce out of an apple maggot quarantine area.  Produce inspection is not trivial harrassment of travelers.  Fruit and vegetables carried in your car from one state to another is a great way to spread insect pests and invasive species, especially when the seeds, wilted lettuce leaves, orange peels, etc are discarded.  Agriculture is a major economic factor in most states, and "foreign" pests can be really destructive.  Since California and Florida are major sources of tomatoes, berries, olives, avocadoes, citrus fruits, etc., I can't object to produce inspection.


Ruth Weiner, Ph. D.

ruthweiner@aol.com