APHIS Proposes Further Opening of U.S Market to Mexican Hass
Avocados
On Monday, May 24, 2004, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA,
proposed in the Federal Register to amend the regulations governing the
importation of Mexican avocados. The proposed rule will expand the number
of States from 31 to 50 in which fresh Hass avocado fruit grown in approved
orchards in approved municipalities in Michoacan, Mexico, may be distributed.
The proposal also allows for the distribution of the avocados during all months
of the year. APHIS will consider all comments on the proposed rule
received on or before July 23, 2004. Although the proposal will allow the
importation of Hass avocados into all 50 states, APHIS is soliciting comments on
whether to delay distribution into commercial avocado-producing areas of the
United States (specifically California, Florida and Hawaii) for up to one year.
In addition to the proposed rule, the pest risk assessment is open for public
comment and can be viewed on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/avocados.
Mexico
Allows the Importation of Tomatoes
From Imperial County, CA: On May 12, 2004, following APHIS' request, the Mexican
Plant Health Office (DGSV) notified APHIS that they are allowing the importation
of tomatoes produced in Imperial Valley, CA under certain restrictions as stated
in the letter to APHIS and to PPQ Deputy Administrator Richard Dunkle. DGSV
reduces the restrictions applied to tomatoes as a host material of the pink
hibiscus mealybug (PHMB). Imperial County and Mexicali, Mexico are contiguous
areas, and both are infested with PHMB. In addition, both the U.S. and Mexico
have official programs to control the pest that include biological control to
suppress the pest and extensive cross-border cooperation. Also, DGSV is
requesting an on-site visit for a Mexican official to the Imperial County PHMB
program as a requirement to review the entry status of additional PHMB host
products, besides tomatoes, to be exported from Imperial County to Mexico.
