U.S. to allow New Zealand persimmon imports

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has amended its regulations to allow fresh persimmon imports from New Zealand into the United States.    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has amended its regulations to allow fresh persimmon imports from New Zealand into the United States.
   APHIS said these shipments can be imported safely into the United States by using a “systems approach,” a series of measures taken by growers, packers, and shippers that, in combination, minimize pest risks prior to importation.
   Specifically for New Zealand persimmons, the systems approach requires orchard certification, orchard pest control, post-harvest safeguards, fruit culling, traceback, and sampling. In addition, the fruit must be treated with hot water or undergo modified atmosphere cold storage to kill any leafroller moth larvae.
   The persimmon shipments must also be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate stating that they were produced under the systems approach and were inspected and found to be free of quarantine pests.
   The final rule, which is published in the Oct. 3 Federal Register, will take effect Nov. 2.