The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (Aphis) is amending the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow the importation of fresh pitahaya from Ecuador.
Aphis scientists have determined that the fruit can be safely imported, while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of plant pests into the US, if the fruit is produced under a systems approach.
The systems approach deemed necessary by Aphis scientists includes requirements for fruit fly trapping, pre-harvest inspections, and indicates that only fruit from approved production sites may enter the country.
In addition, packinghouses in Ecuador must put in place procedures to stop the movement of quarantine pests.
Only commercial consignments can be imported and those shipments must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the national plant protection organisation of Ecuador stating that the consignment was produced and prepared for export in accordance with US requirements.
The rule will become effective on 20 July, 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
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