<table border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing="0"><tr><td>
<pre>This might interest the group..... (a news item from Infobeat: 23
August 2000)

*** Olive growers battle tiny pest

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - California's olive growers are battling a tiny
Mediterranean pest that farmers say could devastate their industry in
just a few years if it continues to spread at its current rapid pace.
Found just two years ago on ornamental trees in back yards and
highway medians throughout Southern California, the pinhead-sized
olive fruit fly has since migrated into the San Joaquin Valley, the
heart of the state's $100 million commercial olive industry. "It is a
dire situation for us - this little beast only likes olives," said
Janet Nelson, manager of the California Olive Committee. Although no
serious damage to commercial crops has been reported, industry
leaders say the pest has the potential to wipe out entire orchards if
left alone to feed and multiply. See
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/...2569126152-2f3
</pre>
</td></tr></table>