APHIS Prohibits the Importation of Pomegranate Arils from Peru into the United States due to Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Ceratitis capitata)

 

 

 

FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION

DA-2018-19

June 11, 2018

 

 

Subject:           APHIS Prohibits the Importation of Pomegranate Arils from Peru into the United States due to Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Ceratitis capitata)

 

To:                   State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

 

Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) prohibits the importation of pomegranate arils from Peru into the United States. APHIS is taking this action in response to two detections of Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) larvae in commercial shipments of pomegranate arils from Peru.

 

Prior to this Federal Order, pomegranate arils were commercially enterable into the United States with inspection at the first port of entry. In May 2018, Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists at Los Angeles International Airport detected Medfly larvae in two commercial consignments of pomegranate arils from Peru. Due to the pest risk, APHIS has determined that prohibition of pomegranate arils from Peru is immediately necessary to prevent the entry of Medfly into the United States, pending an investigation and appropriate remedial measures. This prohibition applies to both commercial shipments and passenger baggage. This prohibition does not affect the commercial importation of whole pomegranate fruit from Peru, which remain enterable with treatment.

 

For additional information regarding this Federal Order, please contact Senior Risk Manager Walter Gould at 301-851-2187, or Walter.P.Gould@aphis.usda.gov.

 

 

 

Osama El-Lissy

Deputy Administrator

Plant Protection and Quarantine

 

 

Attachment: Federal Order

 

FEDERAL ORDER

 

Suspension of imports of pomegranate arils (Punica granatum L.) from Peru due to interceptions of Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata)

 

DA-2018-19

June 11, 2018

 

 

This Federal Order suspends the importation of fresh pomegranate arils from Peru into the United States due to interceptions of Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) larvae. This prohibition is effective June 11, 2018. This Federal Order is issued pursuant to the authority provided by the Plant Protection Act (PPA) of June 20, 2000. As amended, Section 412(a), 7 U.S.C. 7712(a), authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, exportation, or movement in interstate commerce of any plant, plant product, biological control organism, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance, if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the introduction into the United States or the dissemination of a plant pest or noxious weed within the United States.

 

The purpose of this Federal Order is to prevent the entry or introduction of Medfly, a harmful plant pest, from Peru into the United States. The APHIS Administrator has determined that the introduction and establishment of Medfly poses a serious threat to United States agriculture, including certain fruits or vegetables grown in the United States, and that this serious plant pest threat must be immediately addressed. APHIS has determined that Medfly has a minimum of 636 host species of fruits and vegetables. Medfly is not known to occur in the United States except in Hawaii. Medfly is a widespread tropical fruit fly species, ranging from southern Mexico south to Argentina, as well as throughout the Mediterranean region, parts of Australia and all of Africa. It is estimated that the species would be able to establish populations in southern regions of the United States (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9-11).

 

In May 2018, Customs and Border Protection at Los Angeles International Airport in the United States detected Medfly larvae in two commercial consignments of pomegranate arils from Peru.

 

Effective June 11, 2018, APHIS is suspending all importation of pomegranate arils (Punica granatum) from Peru to prevent the introduction of Medfly into the United States, pending an investigation and appropriate remedial measures. This prohibition does not affect the commercial importation of whole pomegranate fruit from Peru which remain enterable with treatment.

 

APHIS is also prohibiting overland in-bond transit movements of such materials south of 39° latitude in the United States. These prohibitions apply to all importation and movement including commercial and non-commercial cargo, passenger baggage, international mail, and express courier shipments.

 

For additional information regarding this Federal Order, please contact Senior Risk Manager, Walter Gould at 301-851-2187 or walter.p.gould@aphis.usda.gov.