USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is revising requirements on the importation of fresh table grapes from Chile, it said in a notice. The table grapes are grown in the regions of Chile where the European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana, EGVM) is either absent or at a very low prevalence. "We have determined that, in addition to the existing option of methyl bromide fumigation for EGVM and Chilean false red mite (Brevipalpus chilensis), grapes from Chile may be safely imported under a systems approach or irradiation for EGVM and B. chilensis," APHIS said. "Current mitigation measures for Ceratitis capitata, or Medfly, will remain unchanged." The regulation revisions are effective July 19.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service intends to allow imports of leaves and stems of fresh sage from Ethiopia into the continental U.S., it said in a notice. An agency pest risk analysis found that “the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of leaves and stems of fresh sage from Ethiopia,” APHIS said. If APHIS finalizes the decision, it will allow imports into the U.S., subject to the phytosanitary requirements specified by the agency. Comments will be accepted through Sept. 16.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reminded APHIS permit holders June 26 that, if their permit was issued in the agency’s legacy ePermits system, they must “apply and establish an account in APHIS eFile to continue working with regulated materials” after ePermits is decommissioned in 2024. “Submit your new application in APHIS eFile as soon as possible to avoid delays,” the agency said. Data from ePermits “will not be transferred to APHIS eFile,” so the permit holder “will need to apply for a new permit in APHIS eFile.” No action is necessary for permits that were issued in APHIS eFile, APHIS said.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service initiated 525 agricultural quarantine inspection cases, issued 198 AQI-related official warnings and reached 428 AQI-related pre-litigation settlement agreements in FY 2023, leading to the collection of more than $1 million in penalties, APHIS said in an annual summary of enforcement data released June 27. The agency said one case involved a $360,000 civil penalty “for improper disposal of regulated garbage,” and in another case APHIS negotiated a $150,000 pre-litigation settlement agreement to resolve violations of the Plant Protection Act involving the shipment of plants for planting without APHIS-issued permits or phytosanitary certificates.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will soon allow imports of fresh ginseng roots from South Korea into the U.S., it said in a notice released June 21. An agency pest risk analysis found “the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of fresh ginseng roots” from South Korea, APHIS said. Imports will be authorized beginning June 24.
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has amended restrictions for importing tomatoes and peppers to reflect recent study findings on how the tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) gets transported.
USDA has suspended until further notice the inspection of avocados and mangos originating from the western Mexico state of Michoacan.