APHIS Proposes Irradiation in U.S. near Mexico Border, Change for India/Thailand, Etc.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a proposed rule to amend the phytosanitary treatment regulations to provide generic criteria to allow irradiation facilities to be located anywhere in the Southern States of the U.S., subject to approval, rather than only in the currently approved locations. Proposed requirements include arranging for treatment before departure from the port of entry or points of U.S. origin, requiring APHIS and the facility to agree to all parameters (such as how each consignment will move, the use of refrigeration, and monitoring activities within 4 square miles of a facility, etc.)
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Comments are due by November 28, 2011.
(The Southern States are Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia - all states that have conditions favorable for the establishment of exotic fruit flies. While exceptions exist for the maritime ports of Gulfport, MS, Wilmington, NC, and the airport of Atlanta, GA, no irradiation facilities have been located there.)
Irradiation Industry Wants to Locate Facilities Near Mexican Border
APHIS states that the irradiation industry has shown considerable interest in locating irradiation facilities in the Southern United States, especially in proximity to the Mexican border. Currently, no irradiation facility is available near the Mexican border. Locating irradiation facilities in the Southern States would allow importers to treat a number of imported articles with irradiation for which no other treatment is available and which currently must be shipped long distances for treatment, such as guavas from Mexico. Locating irradiation facilities in the Southern States would also facilitate the export of certain commodities such as peaches and stone fruits to countries to the south of the United States. APHIS adds that it already has received a request to open an irradiation facility in McAllen, TX.
Proposed Rule Would also Allow for Irradiation Upon Arrival for Certain Fruit from Thailand, India
APHIS is also proposing to allow for the irradiation of mangoes from India in either India or upon arrival in the U.S., as well as the irradiation of tropical fruits from Thailand in either Thailand or upon arrival in the U.S. APHIS states this action would facilitate the importation of fruit requiring irradiation treatment while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of pests of concern into the United States.
APHIS contact: Dr. Inder P.S. Gadh (301) 734-0627
(D/N APHIS-2009-0100, FR Pub 09/29/11)