CONGRESSWOMAN HIRONO SAYS USDA DECISION TO ALLOW TRANSPORT OF SEVEN FRUITS FROM HAWAII TO U.S. MAINLAND OFFERS NEW HOPE
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai’i) said today she is generally pleased with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement that its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending federal regulations to allow the interstate movement of commercial shipments of mangosteen, dragon fruit, melon, pods of cowpea, breadfruit, jackfruit and fresh moringa pods from Hawaii to the continental United States.
Under the new regulations, the fruit must undergo irradiation treatment to ensure that plant pests do not enter the continental United States.
In addition, the fruit must meet other inspection and treatment requirements specific to the commodity and its pest risk.
“The lack of protocols for post-harvest treatments for these fruits has prevented farmers in my district from exporting these products to the mainland for many years”, said Hirono. “Unfortunately, it has taken several years for APHIS to issue this final rule. I am now hopeful our farmers will be able to develop profitable export markets for these products.”
This action allows for the importation of these seven fruits from Hawaii while continuing to protect against the introduction of quarantine pests into the continental United States.
Notice of this action is scheduled to appear in the May 6 Federal Register and becomes effective upon publication.
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