APHIS Allows Imports of Fresh Peppers From Peru

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will allow imports of fresh peppers from Peru (here), it said in a final rule that takes effect Oct. 14. Under the final rule, common chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), aji pepper (Capsicum baccatum L.), habanero chili (Capsicum chinense Jacq.), Thai pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.), and rocoto (Capsicum pubescens Ruiz & Pav.) will be allowed into the continental U.S. and its territories (Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Importation of Peruvian peppers will be subject to conditions including fruit fly trapping, pre-harvest inspections, production sites, and packinghouse procedures designed to exclude quarantine pests.