CBP to Enforce APHIS Rice Import Restrictions on 26 Countries July 30
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced that it will enforce a federal quarantine order beginning July 30, 2011 that restricts the importation of rice into the U.S. from countries with known Khapra beetle infestations.
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APHIS Restricted Rice Imports Due to Increasing Detection of Infested Shipments
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is restricting the importation of rice from countries known to have Khapra beetle due to an increasing number of detections at U.S. ports of entry of infested shipments of rice from these countries. The introduction and establishment of Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) into the U.S. pose a serious threat to stored agricultural products, including spices, grains and packaged foods.1
(See ITT's Online Archives or 07/14/11 news, 11071453, for BP summary announcing APHIS' federal order.)
Certain Commercial Shipments Must be Inspected, Have Phyto Certificate w/ Add'l Declaration
Commercial shipments of rice originating from countries where Khapra beetle is known to occur must be inspected and must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration stating that the shipment was inspected and found free of Khapra beetle. A phytosanitary certificate or phytosanitary certificate of re-export with the same additional declaration will also be required for commercial shipments of rice originating from countries known to have Khapra beetle that make entry into another country before re-exportation to the U.S.
Certain Noncommercial Quantities of Rice Will be Prohibited from Entering U.S.
Noncommercial quantities of rice from countries where Khapra beetle is known to occur will be prohibited from entering the U.S. Noncommercial quantities are defined as amounts of rice for personal use and not for resale, including those transported in international passenger baggage, by mail or by courier.
Restrictions Apply to 26 Countries Where Beetle is Known to Occur
These restrictions apply to all countries where Khapra beetle is known to occur, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cyprus, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and United Arab Emirates.
Infestation Could Cause Other Countries to Restrict U.S. Exports
Infestation of commodities with Khapra beetle can lead to the (i) economic loss of valuable grain or other domestic or export products; (ii) lowered quality of products due to contamination; (iii) costs associated with prevention and treatment; and (iv) consumer health risks when exposed to products contaminated with insect parts.
CBP notes that infestation can result in the loss of export market if the Khapra beetle became established in the U.S., as other countries would likely place restrictions on imports of U.S. grain, cereal products, or seed.
CBP Has Made 100 Khapra Beetle Interceptions at U.S. Ports this Year
This year, CBP agriculture specialists have made 100 Khapra beetle interceptions at U.S. ports of entry compared to three to six per year in 2005 and 2006, and averaging about 15 per year from 2007 to 2009.
1According to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), previous detections of Khapra beetle have resulted in massive, long term-control and eradication efforts at great cost to U.S. taxpayers. Established infestations are difficult to control because the beetle can survive without food for long periods of time, requires little moisture, hides in tiny cracks and crevices, and is relatively resistant to many insecticides and fumigants.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 07/21/11, 07/15/11, 03/24/11, and 01/20/11 news, 11072108, 11071502, 11032417, and 11012006, for BP summaries of CBP interceptions of Khapra beetle in 2011.
See ITT's Online Archives or 04/21/11 news, 11042112, for BP summary of CBP stating that the increase in Khapra beetle interceptions is due to training deployed to CBP field offices in January 2010.)
List of APHIS federal plant import orders and additional information is available here.