USDA clears way for Vietnamese mangoes
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has paved the way for imports of Vietnamese mangoes.
The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service posted a proposed rule allowing the imports Aug. 4 in the Federal Register.
Pending the completion of a comment period Oct. 3, the agency will decide whether to issue a final rule.
Following a request from Vietnam's national plant protection organization, APHIS conducted a pest risk assessment and risk management document on the feasibility of mango imports.
The agency concluded that fruit can be imported if it undergoes a systems approach that includes orchard requirements, irradiation treatment and port of entry inspection.
In addition, fruit can only be imported in commercial consignments, and it must be
accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the national plant protection organization of Vietnam.
Vietnam expects to export about 3,000 metric tons of mangoes to the U.S. annually, less than 1% of all mangoes exported to the U.S.
