USDA APHIS

The US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (Aphis), part of the USDA, is proposing to amend the list of designated pest-free areas for mango seed weevil and mango pulp weevil within the Philippines.

It is also advising the public that it needs to change its Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual to establish a specific approved dose of irradiation as an authorised treatment for mango pulp weevil.

'These actions are necessary because surveys have determined that additional areas within the Philippines are free of mango seed weevil and mango pulp weevil,' Aphis said in a statement. 'Additionally, we have determined that the mango pulp weevil can be neutralized with a lower dose of irradiation than the current generic dose for most plant pests of the class Insecta.'