Press Release

Melissa O’Dell	(301) 734-5222
Jerry Redding	(202) 720-6959

USDA ISSUES FINAL RULE FOR EXPANSION OF MEXICAN HASS AVOCADO IMPORTS

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2004—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service today announced that it will allow fresh Hass avocado imports from approved orchards and municipalities in Michoacan, Mexico, into all 50 states on a year-round basis. This final rule will become effective on Jan. 31, 2005.

During the first two years following the effective date of this rule, Mexican Hass avocados can be distributed in all states except California, Florida and Hawaii; after two years, the avocados can be distributed in all 50 states.

Previous regulations have limited the distribution of fresh Hass avocado fruit to 31 Northeastern and North Central states and shipped only from Oct. 15 through April 15.

APHIS is taking this action in response to a request from the government of Mexico. To reduce the risk of introducing plant pests associated with these avocados from Mexico into the United States, APHIS will require that these avocados be grown in an approved orchard in the municipality of Michoacan, Mexico. The avocados must be packed in clean, new boxes or clean plastic reusable crates prior to export to the United States. The boxes or crates must also be clearly marked with the identity of the grower, packinghouse and exporter. These phytosanitary measures, among others, were selected to mitigate the risk of introducing plant pests, such as fruit flies, into the United States.

The final rule is published in the Nov. 30 Federal Register. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

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