Effective Aug. 24, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is implementing restrictions on all commercial consignments of fresh fig fruits imported into the U.S. from Mexico to prevent the introduction of black fig fly (BFF) (Silba adipata McAlpine) into the U.S.
APHIS is taking this action in response to BFF detections in figs in the Mexican states of Baja California Sur, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacán, Morelos, and Puebla.
Prior to the effective date of this order, fresh fig fruit from Mexico can enter the United States as commercial consignments under certain pest mitigation strategies. However, APHIS is amending the import requirements for all figs from Mexico as a pest risk mitigation measure for BFF. APHIS will require fresh figs fruit from all growing areas of Mexico to be irradiated at 400 Gy, which is an APHIS approved treatment. Fresh fig consignments may be irradiated as part of an APHIS pre-clearance program or irradiated upon-arrival in the United States at an APHIS-approved irradiation facility. Irradiation in the United States requires a compliance agreement. APHIS will continue to prohibit fresh fig fruit brought in non-commercial consignments. This includes passenger bags, personal vehicles, directly through the mail, and direct express carrier shipments.
For additional information regarding this Federal Order, please contact Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist Marc Phillips at 301-851-2114 or Marc.Phillips@usda.gov.
