New Rules on Imports from United Kingdom
Effective Aug. 16, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has made the following amendments to its animal and animal product import regulations to reflect the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union.
- Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) and Northern Ireland will be treated as separate entities in various lists and definitions.
- For an interim period during which the UK will transition to and implement its new animal health laws and policies, the current APHIS import conditions for animals and animal products from the UK will continue to apply to imports from GB.
- Because of Northern Ireland’s stated intent to continue to follow EU animal health regulations and policies, APHIS intends to consider the animal health statuses of Northern Ireland to be the same as those of equivalent EU member states wherever appropriate.
Citrus from Australia
Effective Aug. 18, APHIS is expanding the production areas in Australia from which fresh citrus fruit may be imported into the U.S.
Imports of fresh citrus fruit were already allowed from the Riverina region of New South Wales District, the Riverland region of South Australia, and the Sunraysia region in Northwest Victoria District. APHIS is now authorizing imports into the continental U.S. from the inland region of Queensland, the regions that compose Western Australia, and the shires of Bourke and Narromine within New South Wales District. Citrus from these expanded areas must meet the following phytosanitary measures.
- The fruit must either originate from an approved production area that is free of Queensland fruit fly, Mediterranean fruit fly, and/or Lesser Queensland fruit fly or be treated with cold treatment or other approved treatment.
- An operational work plan that details the requirements under which citrus will be safely imported must be in place.
- Only commercial consignments may be imported.
- The fruit must be washed, brushed, surface disinfected in accordance with treatment schedules listed in the PPQ Treatment Manual, treated with fungicide at labeled rates, and waxed at packinghouses.
- The fruit is subject to inspection at the U.S. port of entry.
Figs from Mexico
Effective Aug. 24 APHIS is implementing restrictions on all commercial consignments of fresh fig fruits imported into the U.S. from Mexico to prevent the introduction of black fig fly.
Prior to Aug. 24 fresh figs from Mexico can enter the U.S. as commercial consignments under certain pest mitigation strategies. As of that date, however, APHIS will require fresh figs from all growing areas of Mexico to be irradiated at 400 Gy. This may occur as part of an APHIS pre-clearance program or upon arrival in the U.S. at an APHIS-approved irradiation facility (which requires a compliance agreement). APHIS will continue to prohibit fresh figs brought in non-commercial consignments, including passenger bags, personal vehicles, directly through the mail, and direct express carrier shipments.
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