Pest Prompts Revised Import Requirements

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on Aug. 20 revised the entry requirements for citrus fruit from the Districts of Riverina and Sunraysia in Australia.

According to APHIS, the revision is necessary because both Riverina and Sunraysia no longer meet the requirements to be considered fruit fly-free areas for Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni). This action applies to the importation of the following fresh citrus species, when produced in either district:

• Grapefruit, Citrus x paradisi
• Lemons, Citrus x meyeri Tanaka and Citrus x limon (L.) Burm. f.
• Lime, Citrus aurantiifolia, Citrus latfolia
• Mandarins, clementines and tangerines, including satsumas, and other fruits grown from this species or its hybrids, Citrus reticulata Blanco
• Oranges, Citrus x sinensis (L.) Osbeck
• Tangelo, Citrus paradisi x reticulata, Citrus x tangelo Ingram & Moore
• Tangor, Citrus x nobilis Lour

APHIS is now requiring in-transit cold treatment for the aforementioned citrus varieties when originating in regulated areas for Queensland fruit fly, including the Districts of Riverina and Sunraysia. APHIS will require treatment of citrus prior to entering the United States.

Fresh citrus fruit from designated fruit fly-free areas in Australia may continue to be exported with a phytosanitary certificate and without cold treatment for Queensland fruit fly.

APHIS made the revisions in response to detections of Queensland fruit fly in the Districts of Riverina and Sunraysia in Australia. Under this federal order, fresh citrus fruit from areas where Queensland fruit fly is present must be treated in accordance to 7 CFR 305, which is an APHIS-approved treatment schedule for the pest. 

Additional information regarding this federal order may be obtained from Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist Tony Román at 301-851-2242.

See a previous report regarding imports from Australia.

Source:  U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

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