The US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (Aphis) has issued a pest risk assessment that could clear the way for imports of fresh figs from Mexico.
The notice states that figs can be safely imported provided they form part of a commercial consignment, or are irradiated and accompanied by a phytosanitary agreement. Aphis is inviting comments on the proposed rule until 11 August.
According to the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, US imports of fresh and dried figs reached 4,748 tonnes last year, with a corresponding value of US$6m.
