USDA eyes Central America pitaya imports

USDA eyes Central America pitaya imports    The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has proposed rules to allow for the import of fresh pitaya fruit from Central America into the United States.
   As a condition of entry, the pitaya would be subject to a 'systems approach' that would include requirements for monitoring and oversight, establishment of pest-free places of production, and procedures for packing the pitaya fruit. This action would help guard against the introduction of plant pests into the United States, the agency said.
   The USDA said the national plant protection organizations of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama have requested that APHIS amend its regulations to allow for importation of the fruit.
   Comments regarding the proposed rule are due to the agency by July 25. For more details access the Federal Register notice.