APHIS Publishes Rule Expanding Growing Area and Import to U.S. Markets for Citrus from Peru

APHIS is amending the fruits and vegetable regulations to allow citrus fruit from the entire country of Peru to be imported into the continental United States with conditions.

A fruit fly management program must be in place, including the use of bait spray applications, registration of places of production and citrus fruit shipments must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.

Currently, the regulations allow the importation of citrus fruit to the United States from five approved citrus-producing zones in Peru, subject to a systems approach. However, based on the findings of a pest list and commodity import evaluation document, we have determined that this systems approach also mitigates the plant pest risk associated with citrus fruit produced in all other areas of Peru.

This action will allow the importation of citrus fruit from the entire country of Peru while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of plant pests into the continental United States.

This final rule will be effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. The final rule will be available on Monday, September 14 at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2015-0005