USDA proposes systems approach to Chilean grape imports

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has proposed regulations to allow a systems approach for the importation of Chilean grapes into the country.

The agency said the systems approach would provide an alternative to methyl bromide fumigation, while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of quarantine pests, namely the Brevipalpus chilensis mite, into the United States.

The systems approach requires of Chilean grape exports a production site registration, a low prevalence production site certification, post-harvest processing, phytosanitary inspection, and phytosanitary certificates. These activities will be coordinated between USDA and Chile's national plant protection organization.

Because the systems approach is neither intended for nor effective in removing Medfly from an area of Chile not declared by APHIS to be free of Medfly would have to be cold treated, the USDA said.

For more details about the proposed rulemaking, access the Aug. 26 Federal Register notice online at edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-19875.htm. 

Source: American Shipper