APHIS to Allow Imports of Pitahaya Fruit From Ecuador

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will allow imports of fresh pitahaya fruit from Ecuador, subject to certain conditions, it said in a final rule (here). Eligible pitahaya fruit will have to be produced under a systems approach, including requirements for fruit fly trapping, pre-harvest inspections, approved production sites and packinghouse procedures designed to exclude quarantine pests, APHIS said. Imports will also have to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate from the government of Ecuador. The final rule takes effect July 20.