USDA considers imports of Indian mangoes

USDA considers imports of Indian mangoes    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service proposes to allow imports of Indian mangoes if certain pest controls are met.
   As a condition of entry, the USDA said Indian mangoes would have to undergo irradiation treatment and be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with additional declarations providing specific information about the treatment and inspection of the mangoes and the orchards in which they were grown. The mangoes would also be inspected at the first U.S. port of arrival.
   Although the proposed rule would allow imports of all mango varieties, India is interested in exporting three varieties to the United States: Kesar, Alfonse and Banganpalli from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh.
   “According to the request from the government of India, the quantity of mangoes exported to the United States would be about 100 sea containers per year,” USDA said.
   Currently, Mexico supplies 60 percent of mango imports to the United States. However, Mexico is ranked fourth in mango production, trailing India, China and Thailand.
   The USDA said it would take comments regarding the proposed rule through Jan. 16. For more information, contact Donna West, senior import specialist for USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, at (301) 734-8758.