APHIS to Allow Imports of Fresh Peppers From Ecuador

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will allow imports of fresh peppers from Ecuador, it said in a final rule (here). Effective Nov. 23, the common bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), locoto pepper (Capsicum baccatum L.), habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.), tabasco pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.), and manzano pepper (Capsicum pubescens Ruiz & Pav.) will be allowed for importation from Ecuador into the entire United States. Importation will be subject to conditions, including fruit fly trapping, pre-harvest inspections, production sites, and packinghouse procedures designed to exclude quarantine pests.