US considers citrus imports from South Africa's CBS regions

As the EU continues to impose strict conditions on the import of South African citrus another export opportunity might be opening up for growers within the citrus Black spot region of South Africa as the US considers allowing imports from these regions.

APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) are proposing to amend the fruit and vegetables regulations to allow the importation of several varieties of fresh citrus fruit, as well as Citrus hybrids, into the continental United States from areas of South Africa where citrus black spot has been known to occur.

As a condition of entry, the fruit would have to be produced in accordance with a systems approach that would include shipment traceability, packinghouse registration and procedures, and phytosanitary treatment. The fruit would also be required to be imported in commercial consignments and accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the national plant protection organization of South Africa with an additional declaration confirming that the fruit has been produced in accordance with the systems approach.

This action would allow for the importation of fresh citrus fruit, including Citrus hybrids, from the Republic of South Africa while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of plant pests into the United States.