USDA PROPOSES CHANGES TO COLD TREATMENT OF CHINESE YA PEARS

USDA PROPOSES CHANGES TO COLD TREATMENT OF CHINESE YA PEARS    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has proposed to end its cold treatment requirement for Ya pears grown in Chinese Hebei Province.
   APHIS imposed the cold treatment requirement on Ya pears to prevent the spread of the Oriental fruit fly to the United States. China submitted data indicating that no Oriental fruit flies have been found in the Hebei Province since 1997, the agency said.
   However, Ya pears from the Shadong Province will continue to undergo cold treatment before importation to the United States.
   APHIS will take comments about the proposed rulemaking from the industry before Feb. 18. Comments may be sent by e-mail at regulations@aphis.usda.gov (refer to Docket No. 02-084-1).