US: New requirements for fresh blueberries imported from Chile

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a Federal Order implementing new entry requirements for the importation of fresh blueberry fruit from Chile into the United States.

APHIS is taking this action in response to multiple detections of European Grapevine Moth (EGVM), Lobesia botrana, in Chilean blueberry orchards.

To prevent the introduction of EGVM into the United States, APHIS is requiring blueberry shipments from regions VI, VII, and VIII destined to the United States be fumigated with methyl bromide at the point of origin under Title 7 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 305. In addition, shipments will be subject to an increased inspection rate at the port of export and entry.

Until this recent detection, fresh blueberries were not considered to be a preferred host of EGVM and have been allowed into the United States from Chile since 1983. Because of the substantial growth of the EGVM population in Chile during recent seasons and its unexpected detection on fresh blueberry, APHIS has determined these additional requirements are necessary to prevent the entry of EGVM into the United States on blueberry shipments.

For more information:
Tony Román
USDA
Tel: +1 (301) 851-2242
E-mail: Juan.A.Roman@aphis.usda.gov