The US Department of Agriculture (USDA-APHIS) has proposed amending its regulations to allow imports of fresh apricots and avocados from continental Spain into the US.
As a condition of entry, both fruits would have to be produced in accordance with a systems approach programme.
For apricots, registration would be required for the production locations and packhouses, pest monitoring, sanitary practices, chemical and biological controls, and phytosanitary treatment.
Spanish apricots would also have to be imported in commercial consignments, with each consignment identified throughout its movement from place of production to port of entry in the US.
Avocados, meanwhile, would be subject to importation in commercial consignments; registration and monitoring of places of production and packhouses; grove sanitation; and inspection for quarantine pests by the national plant protection organisation of Spain.
Consignments of avocados other than the Hass variety would also have to be treated for Mediterranean fruit fly either prior to moving to the US or upon arrival prior to release.
Consignments of both fruits would have to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the national plant protection organisation of Spain certifying that they are free from all quarantine pests and has been produced in accordance with the systems approach.
USDA-APHIS said these measures would permit access for both fruits while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of quarantine pests in the US.
The agency said it will consider all comments on the entry proposals for both fruits that are received on or before 1 April.
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