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Contact:
Alyn Kiel (301) 734-5222
Andrea McNally (301) 734-0602
USDA Begins Issuing Permits for the Importation of Fresh Mango Fruit from Pakistan
WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 2010 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending its fruit and vegetable regulations to allow, under certain conditions, the importation of fresh mango fruit from Pakistan into the continental United States.
Based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, which was made available to the public for review and comment through a previous notice, APHIS has determined that the application of one or more phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risk of introducing or disseminating certain plant pests or noxious weeds into the United States via the importation of fresh mango fruit from Pakistan.
Mangoes must be treated with specified doses (400 gray) of irradiation at an APHIS-certified facility. Irradiation treatment may be applied outside of or upon arrival into the United States. In addition, each shipment must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the national plant protection organization of Pakistan. The phytosanitary certificate must include the additional declaration that the consignment was inspected and found free of the causal agent of mango bacterial black spot, Xanthomonas campestris pv. mangiferaeindicae. The fruit will also be subject to inspection at the port of first arrival into the United States. Importers can learn more about specific import requirements by consulting APHIS’ Fruits and Vegetables Import Requirements (FAVIR) database at www.aphis.usda.gov/favir/.
The rule applies only to mangoes being commercially shipped to the United States. Mangoes, even if they have been treated, may not enter the United States in passenger baggage, hand-carried packages or small packages from a delivery service. Requiring all mangoes to be imported via commercial channels allows APHIS to assure strict quarantine security at the port of entry before the fruit enters the United States.
APHIS approved the use of irradiation as a quarantine treatment for fruits and vegetables in 2002. The use of irradiation provides an alternative to other pest control methods, such as fumigation and cold or heat treatments. Currently, irradiated mangoes from India; litchis, longan, rambutans, pineapples, mangoes, and mangosteen from Thailand; dragon fruit from Vietnam; and guavas from Mexico are allowed entry into the United States. For more information about importing irradiated fruit into the United States, visit www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/plant_health/content/
printable_version/faq_mangos_from_pakistan.pdf.
Notice of this final rule is published in today’s Aug. 27 Federal Register and is effective upon publication.
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