APHIS Seeks Comments on Draft Pest Risk Assessment for fresh melon fruit (Cucumis melo) from Japan for consumption into the continental United State, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.

The following Stakeholder Message was published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on Jan. 14, 2020. It is reproduced in full below.

The government of Japan has asked USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to authorize importation of fresh melon fruit (Cucumis melo) for consumption into the continental United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. APHIS has drafted a pest risk assessment that describes potential pests associated with the commodity. APHIS shares draft pest risk assessments to determine whether stakeholders have information that might lead us to revise the draft assessment before we identify pest mitigations and proceed with the commodity import approval process.The draft pest risk assessment for melon fruit for consumption from Japan will be available for review and comment until Feb. 14, 2020. To view the assessment or submit comments, go to https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-health/risk-assessment-consultation

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service