Risk-based Hawaiian produce rules

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a final rule to establish a risk-based process for the interstate movement of certain fruits and vegetables from Hawaii to the U.S. mainland.

   The rule, effective Feb. 17, requires that eligible produce be subject to inspection in either Hawaii or the first state of arrival; approved treatment; origination from a pest-free area; inspection and certification in the state or territory or origin showing that the commodity is pest-free; and limited distribution to certain states.

   The changes in this final rule do not alter which fruits and vegetables currently are eligible for interstate movement or how the risks associated with those commodities would be evaluated or mitigated, the agency said in a statement. The changes only make more timely the approval of fruits and vegetables that are safe for interstate movement in the United States.   APHIS said the interstate movement of those Hawaiian fruits and vegetables which require additional phytosanitary measures will continue to undergo the full rulemaking process.

   The agency noted that the final rule also implements other changes, including:

   • Establishing a notice-based process for acknowledging changes in the status of pest-free areas.

   • Reorganizing the regulations to consolidate and eliminate redundant requirements.

   • Making various non-substantive changes to the regulations to make them easier to use.

Source:American Shipper