Delayed APHIS Rule on Lemons From Argentina to Take Effect in May, Imports Limited to Northeastern US
A recent Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service final rule allowing importation of lemons from northwest Argentina into the continental U.S. (see 1612230018) won't be delayed any further, the agency said May 1 (here). Argentine lemons can be imported into…
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only the Northeastern U.S. during 2017 and 2018, the agency said. The final rule, which was originally set to take effect Jan. 23 (see 1612230018) but was delayed twice, will "go into effect when the stay expires on May 26," APHIS said. The final rule was delayed until March 27 to comply with a memorandum issued by the Trump administration to all executive branch agencies (see 1701230031) and later delayed again to May 26 (see 1703230019). Conditions for importation include registration of places of production and packinghouses, grove sanitation and monitoring, treatment and inspection. Lemons must be harvested green or treated for the Mediterranean fruit fly, and must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the Argentine government. The Agriculture Department will work with "Argentina’s National Food Safety and Quality Service (SENASA) to finalize the operational work plan described in the final regulation," APHIS said.