The US has authorized imports of fresh star apple fruit from Vietnam (Photo: VNA) Washington (VNA) – The Animal and PlantHealth Inspection Service (APHIS) of the US Department of Agriculture authorizedimports of fresh star apple fruit from Vietnam into the country from January 19,2017.
Based on the findings of a pest risk analysispublished in the July 19, 2016 Federal Register, the APHIS determined that iftreated properly, Vietnamese star apples can be shipped safely to thecontinental US.
The analysis indicated that the use of one or morephytosanitary measures would be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducingplant pests or noxious weeds through star apple imports.
APHIS offered a period of 60 days for public commentwhich ended on September 19, 2016 and it received one comment from amanufacturing company during the period.
The company said fresh star apple should be allowed tobe treated with irradiation after arriving in the US.
APHIS argued that while an approved irradiation treatmentmay be conducted for any import either prior to shipment to the US or in the US,the particulars of any treatment are examined on an individual basis as part ofa country’s market access request.
In the request by the national plant protection organisationof Vietnam (NPPO), it stipulated that fresh star apple fruit be subject to apre-clearance programme within Vietnam. Considering this request, APHISdetermined that Vietnam possesses sufficient infrastructure for in-countrytreatment.
The analysis also indicated that the fruit must beindividually wrapped in plastic prior to shipment to reduce the risk ofpost-treatment re-infestation. APHIS determined that individual wrappingprovides equal phytosanitary protection to insect-proofing cartons and palletsas described in US regulations.
In addition, the fresh star apple fruit from Vietnam mustbe imported in commercial consignments only and each consignment must beaccompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO of Vietnam andtreated in accordance with Title 7 Part 305 of the US Code of FederalRegulations. Each consignment is also subject to inspection upon arrival to theUS.
The US has to date allowed imports of five fruits fromVietnam, namely dragon fruit, rambutan, lychee, longan and star apple. It hasbeen considering allowing imports of Vietnamese fresh mangoes.-VNA
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