USDA AMENDS IMPORT REGULATIONS FOR MANGOES FROM THE PHILIPPINES

USDA AMENDS IMPORT REGULATIONS FOR MANGOES FROM THE PHILIPPINES The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it is amending its regulations regarding the importation of mangoes from Guimaras Island in the Philippines.
   USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will allow imports of mangoes from the island because the area is free of the mango seed weevil, a pest the United States does not have. However, because Guimaras Island has not been found to be free of fruit flies, imported mangoes must be treated with heat under the supervision of an APHIS inspector prior to importation.
   Each shipment also must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate stating the mangoes were grown on Guimaras Island and the fruit has been treated in accordinace with APHIS requirements.