*EPF302 08/29/01
Text: U.S. Expands List of Fruits, Vegetables Eligible for Importation
(Affected countries include New Zealand, Guatemala, Mexico, Spain) (400)

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has expanded the list of fruits and vegetables eligible for importation into the United States from New Zealand, Mexico, Argentina, Costa Rica, Honduras, Peru, Spain, Chile, Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama and China.

Following is the text of the August 27 USDA notice listing the affected produce:

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U.S. Department of Agriculture
Washington, D.C.

Contact:
Meghan Thomas, (301) 734-3266 -- [email protected]
Jerry Redding, (202) 720-6959 -- [email protected]

USDA EXPANDS LIST OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ELIGIBLE FOR IMPORTATION

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 2001 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is expanding the list of fruits and vegetables eligible, under specified conditions, for importation into the United States.

Additionally, USDA is recognizing the Department of Peten, Guatemala, and all districts in Belize as areas free of the Mediterranean fruit fly.

All of the fruits and vegetables included in this final rule must be imported under a permit. As a condition of entry, the fruits and vegetables will also be inspected and subject to disinfection at the port of first arrival by a USDA officer.

In addition, some of the fruits and vegetables will be required to be treated or meet other special conditions.

The final rule amends the import requirements for: peppers from New Zealand; apples, apricots, carambola, grapefruits, mangoes, oranges, peaches, persimmons, pomegranates, tangerines, from areas free of fruit fly in Mexico; artichoke, kiwi, oregano, and marjoram from Argentina; cole and mustard crops from Costa Rica and Honduras; marjoram from Peru; eggplant, lettuce, watermelon, and kiwi from Spain; passion fruit from Chile; kiwi and papaya from Belize; papaya from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama; and ya pears from China.

For more information, contact Donna L. West, import specialist, phytosanitary issues management team, plant protection and quarantine, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 140, Riverdale, Md. 20737, (301) 734-6799.

Notice of this action is scheduled for publication in Aug. 28 Federal Register and is effective upon publication. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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