Country: United States

Title: Spondias spp. and other fruits

Contact:
Tony Roman, Import Specialist at (301) 734-5820, or <a href="mailto:Juan.A.Roman@aphis.usda.gov">Juan.A.Roman@aphis.usda.gov</a>

Report: APHIS has determined that the introduction and establishment of Anastrepha obliqua poses a serious threat to United States agriculture including certain fruits or vegetables grown in the United States. Fruits of Spondias spp., Malphighia glabra L. (Barbados cherry), Averrhoa carambolas L. (Carambola), Flacourtia indica (Governor's plum), Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen (Sapodilla) and Passiflora spp. (Passion fruit including granadilla) from St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been allowed into the United States since 1987. Due to the introduction of A. obliqua to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, APHIS has decided to suspend the importation of these fruits from St. Vincent and the Grenadines because APHIS has determined that the introduction and establishment of A. obliqua poses a serious threat to United States agriculture.

Currently, the only APHIS approved treatment for A. obliqua in Spondias spp. Barbados cherry, passion fruit, carambola and sapodilla is irradiation as stated in 7 CFR 305 (Carambola also can be treated with cold treatment). Therefore, for importation into the United States, these fruits from St. Vincent and the Grenadines must be treated in accordance with 7 CFR 305. Currently St. Vincent and the Grenadines does not meet all of the requirements of 7 CFR 305. Until all of these requirements are met, irradiation is not an option.

Under IPPC standards, Anastrepha obliqua is considered to be a pest that is absent: eradicated from Cameron County, Texas in the United States.
 

Posted Date: April 22, 2011, 9 a.m.