The US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) is proposing to allow, under certain conditions, the importation of all varieties of Malus domestica apples into the US from Japan.
Based on recently completed research, APHIS said in a press statement that it understands the measures currently in place for Fuji apples imported into the US from Japan would also be effective in mitigating any pest risks associated with all varieties of M. domestica apples from the Asian country.
To ensure plant pests such as the yellow peach moth and the fruit tree spider mite do not enter the US through the import of apples, APHIS said it would require the fruit to be cold treated and then fumigated under the supervision of an APHIS official in Japan. Fruit would also have to be inspected prior to export to the US.
This action would allow all varieties of Malus domestica apples from Japan to be imported into the US while continuing to protect against the introduction of quarantine pests.
APHIS said consideration will be given to comments received on or before 10 May.
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