USDA proposes imports of fresh pummelo fruit from Thailand
Fresh pummelo citrus fruit from Thailand will be allowed access to the U.S., according to a new proposal from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
After analyzing the potential plant pest risks, USDA scientists believe that pummelos from Thailand can be safely imported, according to a news release. The agency will take comments on the proposal until April 29.
The USDA said the systems approach requires multiple measures, including irradiation treatment, packinghouse processing requirements, and port of entry inspection. In addition, the USDA said the fruit must also be imported in commercial shipments and be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.
The USDA said Thailand’s annual shipments of pummelos to the U.S. could equal about 1% of California’s pummelo production, which totaled 540,000 boxes in 2016.
