USDA MAY ALLOW SPANISH CLEMENTINE IMPORTS UNDER NEW CONDITIONS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said it may reconsider the importation of Spanish clementine if new procedures are met.
Spanish clementines were banned by the USDA last December after live Mediterranean fruit fly larvae were found in several shipments.
The APHIS import control proposal includes provisions of the Spanish government’s Mediterranean fruit fly management program, which requires clementines to undergo rigorous inspection, such as fruit cutting before and after cold treatment.
APHIS said it would hold a public hearing in August so that Spanish clementine shippers have the opportunity to comment on the proposed rules.