The US department of agriculture (USDA) has proposed new rules that could see the requirement for Chilean table grape producers to treat their US-bound fruit with methyl bromide lifted.
After six years of study, the USDA wants to remove the stipulation that Chilean grapes must have been fumigated with the chemical to remove mites. A new system of registrations would be introduced instead, reported the McClatchy Washington Bureau.
The US government insists the proposals do not threaten domestic table grape growers, as most Chilean production takes place in the winter, when there is very little US production.
But Californian suppliers are still cautious. Barry Bedwell, president of the Fresno-based California Grape and Tree Fruit League, said: “We still have to learn more. We know there’s going to be overarching concern over the possible introduction of pests.”
Chilean producers currently fumigate their US-bound grapes with methyl bromide in order to protect against the false grape mite, which feeds on leaves and can seriously damage vineyards in the spring.
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