APHIS Seeks Public Comment on a Notice To Allow the Interstate Movement of Fresh Persian Lime Fruit into the Continental United States Under a Systems Approach

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking public comment on a notice published in the Federal Register on the interstate movement of fresh Persian lime (Citrus latifolia) fruit for consumption into the Continental United States. Based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, APHIS is proposing to allow interstate movement under a systems approach as an alternative to the current mitigation structures.

 

Currently, Persian lime fruit moved interstate from Hawaii into the Continental United States must be treated with forced hot air or irradiation, like all Hawaiian citrus. The notice describes the conditions for the interstate movement of Persian lime under the systems approach and includes the safeguarding measures against the introduction of plant pests.

 

The notice will be available in the Federal Register for public inspection on January 26, 2026, and will publish on January 27, 2026. APHIS is making the notice available to the public for review and comment for a 60-day period ending on March 30, 2026. To view the documents or submit comments, go to www.regulations.gov and enter APHIS-2025-0034 in the search field.