APHIS Proposes to Allow Importation of Additional Fruits & Vegetables, Etc
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a proposed rule to amend its regulations at 7 CFR 319.56 on the importation of fruits and vegetables.
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Proposed Rule Would Allow Certain Additional Fruits, Vegetables to be Imported
APHIS states that it is proposing to amend 7 CFR 319.56-2t to allow the entry into the U.S. of certain fruits and vegetables from various countries (see proposed rule for Latin names, if applicable):
African horned cucumber from Chile into continental U.S. only
Annona spp.from Grenada (which include cherimoya, soursop, custard apple, sugar apple, and atemoya), commercial fruit shipments only
Coconut fruit with milk and husk from Mexico, under certain conditions
Pitaya from Mexico, under certain conditions
According to APHIS, it is also proposing to amend other sections of 7 CFR 319.56 to allow the entry/import of the following fruits and vegetables in accordance with the specified conditions described below:
Watermelon & certain melon from Peru. APHIS states that it is proposing to modify 7 CFR 319.56-2y to allow the entry of commercial shipments of watermelon and several varieties of melon (e.g., cantaloupe, netted melon, etc.) into the U.S. from Peru, which would have to be grown in areas of Peru recognized by APHIS to be free of the South American cucurbit fly.
Watermelon, and certain squash, cucumber & oriental melon from South Korea. According to APHIS, it is proposing to allow watermelon, certain squash, certain cucumber, and certain oriental melon to be imported into the U.S. from the Republic of Korea under certain conditions, which would be set forth in proposed 7 CFR 319.56-2aa.
Grapes from South Korea. APHIS states that it is proposing to allow the importation of grapes (Vitis spp.) into the U.S. from the Republic of Korea under certain conditions that would be in proposed new 7 CFR 319.56-2ll.
Proposed Rule Would Update, Clarify 7 CFR 319.56
APHIS states that it is also proposing to make a number of changes to 7 CFR 319.56 in order to update the regulations to reflect current practice or to reorganize the regulations to improve their clarity, as follows (see proposed rule for Latin names, if applicable):
Add definition of "country of origin." APHIS states that because the term "country of origin" is not defined in the regulations, it is proposing to define "country of origin" in 7 CFR 319.56-1 as the "Country where the plants from which the plant products are derived were grown."
Certain fruits and vegetables from Mexico.APHIS states that it is proposing to update 7 CFR 319.56-2t to list the following fruits and vegetables from Mexico:
| Allium | Coconut (without husk) | Lemon | Prickly-pear pad |
| Asparagus | Eggplant | Lime, sour | Radish |
| Beet | Grape | Parsley | Tomato |
| Carrot | Jicama | Pineapple | Tuna |
APHIS notes that these above-listed fruits and vegetables from Mexico, which APHIS states it has determined meet certain criteria, have been imported into the U.S. from Mexico under permit since before 1992.
Other amendments to update, clarify regulations. According to APHIS, it is also proposing to make other amendments to 7 CFR 319.56 to update and clarify the regulations and improve their effectiveness.
- written comments must be received on or before February 17, 2004
APHIS contact - Wayne Burnett (301) 734-6799
APHIS proposed rule (D/N 02-106-1, FR Pub 12/18/03) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/pdf/03-31202.pdf