The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is publishing a final notice that will allow certain table grapes to be safely imported from parts of Chile. The new requirements, which build on the existing rules, will allow table grapes from areas of Chile where European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana) is either absent or at a low prevalence. The new requirements will also protect U.S. agriculture from Chilean false red mite (Brevipalpus chilensis).
Importation of fresh table grapes from Chile may now take place under a systems approach, with multiple overlapping requirements that ensure grapes moving into the United States are free of those pests. The new requirements also allow importers to use irradiation to treat the pest. Importers may continue to use the existing methyl bromide fumigation approach. Whatever approach importers use, these strong requirements help ensure that imported table grapes can be imported safely with little risk of introducing plant pests.
The commodity import evaluation document, which APHIS previously made available with the publication of an initial notice of proposal for review and comment, has been revised based on public comments, and the new version accompanies this final notice. APHIS experts have determined that both the systems approach and irradiation provide two safe alternatives to the current import requirement of mandatory treatment with methyl bromide fumigation.
These requirements will be adjusted in the APHIS Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements database (ACIR) effective July 19, 2024.
Source: aphis.usda.gov