APHIS Proposes to Allow Imports of Philippines Bananas Into Hawaii, US Territories

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is proposing to allow imports of bananas from the Philippines into Hawaii, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Just as with imports of bananas from the Philippines into the continental U.S., which have been allowed since February 2013 (see 13020620), the bananas would have to be imported in commercial consignments, monitored for fruit flies, harvested only as hard green bananas, and inspected for quarantine pests by the national plant protection organization of the Philippines. They would also need to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate. Comments are due by March 31.