Chinese fragrant pear

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it will revise import requirements of fresh pears from China and will authorise the importation from additional areas of production.

The USDA announced the decision to relax requirements in a statement, which read: “Based on the findings of the pest risk analysis… we have concluded that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of fresh fragrant pears fruit from this additional production area.”

Fragrant pears eligible for import must now be grown in the Akesu or Korla region at a production site registered with the plant health officials in China and approved by the USDA.

The USDA has also stated pack houses in China must implement a tracking system that allows for traceability of fruit to individual production sites.