Update on CBP & APHIS Emergency Interim Measures in Response to Medfly Detection in Mexico
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a press release announcing the implementation of emergency interim measures at certain U.S. land border ports in response to the detection and confirmation of the adult Mediterranean Fruit Fly (ceratitis capiata, Medfly) in the municipality of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.
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CBP explains that commodities that can be attacked by the Medfly include more than 250 different types of fruits, nuts, and vegetables.
Emergency Interim Measures Implemented for Commercial Shipments
According to CBP, the following emergency interim measures have been implemented for commercial shipments from Mexico entering land border ports in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and El Paso, TX, and are in effect until further notice:
Existing requirement for phytosanitary certificate. All shipments of agricultural commodities on the Medfly host list will require a USDA phytosanitary certificate. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) sources explain this is an existing requirement that is in place for all ports from El Paso, TX to San Ysidro, CA.
New requirement for special declaration. In addition to the requirement for a phytosanitary certificate, all shipments of Medfly host materials coming into the U.S. from Mexico will require a special declaration indicating that the cargo originated outside the Baja California Norte area, and was not packed in or transited through Baja California Norte.
APHIS sources note that with respect to this special declaration, one exception has been made for certain peppers grown 20 miles south of the New Mexico-Mexico border that are taken to designated processing plants in the U.S.
In addition to emergency interim measures for commercial shipments, CBP's press release also contains information on measures that have been instituted with respect to pedestrians and vehicles from Mexico. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/29/04 news, 04092945 1, for earlier BP summary of this situation.)
For a list of common Medfly host materials, email documents@brokerpower.com
CBP Press Release (dated 09/24/04) available athttp://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/press_releases/09242004.xml