USDA to allow Vietnamese mango imports

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending its regulations to allow fresh mango fruit imports from Vietnam to enter the continental United States by year’s end.    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending its regulations to allow fresh mango fruit imports from Vietnam to enter the continental United States, effective Dec. 29. 
   After analyzing the potential plant pest risks, APHIS scientists determined that mangos from Vietnam can be safely imported under a “systems approach,” the agency said.
   APHIS defines the systems approach as a series of measures taken by growers, packers, and shippers that together minimize pest risks prior to import into the United States.
   In this case, APHIS explained “the systems approach for mangos from Vietnam includes orchard or packinghouse requirements, irradiation treatment, and port of entry inspection, to protect against the introduction of plant pests and diseases.” 
   The agency is also requiring these mangos be imported in commercial shipments and accompanied by phystosanitary certificates verifying the fruit was produced under these conditions. These certificates must include an additional declaration stating the fruit was inspected and found free of black mango spot.