USDA proposes number of changes to fruit and vegetable imports
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has proposed to amend its regulations to allow the import of various fruits and vegetables from other countries and regions under certain conditions.
“These actions would improve the transparency of our regulations, while continuing to protect against the introduction of quarantine pests through imported fruits and vegetables,” said the agency in a Federal Register notice Thursday.
Many of the fruits and vegetables listed in the Federal Register notice are already allowed into the United States under USDA permit, but may not be specifically listed in the regulations.
“All of the fruits and vegetables, as condition of entry, would be inspected and subject to treatment at the port of first arrival as may be required by an inspector,” the agency said.
The USDA will take comments about the proposed rule through May 31. For more information, access online: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-6269.htm.