USDA IMPOSES TREATMENT RESTRICTIONS ON CHILEAN FRUIT IMPORTS

USDA IMPOSES TREATMENT RESTRICTIONS ON CHILEAN FRUIT IMPORTS    The Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has imposed restrictions on certain types of imported Chilean fruit to prevent the spread of Medfly outbreaks in the United States.
   The infested fruit comes from northern Chile, known in the agency as “Region 1,” and the metropolitan area around Santiago. Fruit from these areas must be treated for the Medfly prior or during export to the United States.
   “These restrictions enable Chile to continue exporting their agricultural commodities to the United States, while protecting U.S. agriculture from this highly destructive pest,” said Richard L. Dunkle, deputy administrator for APHIS.
   The U.S. action follows on-site investigations in Chile in April. The new treatment rules took effect May 24, giving Chilean agriculture officials time to plan for compliance.