Department of Agriculture January 4, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are amending the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow the importation of Hass avocados from Peru into the continental United States. As a condition of entry, Hass avocados from Peru will have to be produced in accordance with a systems approach that includes requirements for importation in commercial consignments; registration and monitoring of places of production and packinghouses; grove sanitation; pest-free areas or trapping for the South American fruit fly; pest-free areas or treatment for the Mediterranean fruit fly; surveys for the avocado seed moth; and inspection for quarantine pests by the national plant protection organization of Peru. Hass avocados from Peru will also be required to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration stating that the avocados were grown, packed, and inspected and found to be free of pests in accordance with these requirements. This action will allow the importation of Hass avocados from Peru into the United States while continuing to provide protection against the introduction of quarantine pests.