APHIS Allows Imports of Bananas From Philippines Into Hawaii, U.S. Territories

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will allow the importation of bananas from the Philippines into Hawaii and two U.S. territories in the Pacific, it said in a final rule that takes effect Nov. 10. Under the new regulations, Philippine bananas may be imported into Hawaii, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands provided they are monitored and inspected for fruit flies and accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate from the government of the Philippines. Only hard green bananas may be harvested, and they must be shipped in commercial consignments. APHIS authorized importation of Philippine bananas into the continental U.S. under similar restrictions in February 2013 (see 13020620).