USDA allows more imports of Mexican Hass avocados

USDA allows more imports of Mexican Hass avocados    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will change its regulations to increase the number of American states that may distribute Mexican-grown Hass avocados.
   The rulemaking will also permit the import of Mexican avocados throughout the year. The Hass variety of avocados are grown in approved orchards in Michoacan, Mexico.
   For the first two years after the rule becomes effective Jan. 31, the agency will allow the distribution of Mexican Hass avocados to all states, except for California, Florida and Hawaii. After two years, the agency will allow this commodity to be distributed to all states.
   The agency said it’s taking this action in response to a request from the Mexican government and based on its own phytosanitary studies into potential plant pests associated with the avocados.