A group of Chinese agricultural inspectors will arrive in the United
States next week to spend two weeks touring citrus-producing states of Arizona,
California, Florida and Texas.
"This long-awaited visit is the result of five years of negotiations
with the Chinese, and it paves the way for the United States to begin exporting citrus to
China," said Michael V. Dunn, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s undersecretary for
marketing and regulatory programs.
During the visit, the Chinese agricultural inpsectors will review U.S. pest
controls and general conditions of the groves and packing houses. They will be accompanied
by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
After their visit, the Chinese inspectors will review the data and let the
United States know when it can begin to export. Industry experts estimate citrus exports
to China could generate $500 million annually by 2004.
CHINESE INSPECTORS TO TOUR MAJOR CITRUS-PRODUCING STATES
CHINESE INSPECTORS TO TOUR MAJOR CITRUS-PRODUCING STATES
