U.S. proposes rules for imports of Central American peppers

U.S. proposes rules for imports of Central American peppers    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service proposes to change its rules governing imports of peppers grown in approved registered production sites in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua to be imported into the United States without treatment.
   The peppers must meet certain conditions, such as pre-harvest inspection and shipping procedures, to prevent introduction of quarantine pests into the United States, the agency said.
   Pepper production and trade in Central America has been on rise during the past decade. USDA estimates that about 31,040 metric tons of peppers could be imported from the five Central American countries as a result of the proposed rule.
   The USDA will take comments from the industry through Dec. 12. For more information, contact Donna L. West at (301) 734-8262.