The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with importation of all varieties of fresh melon fruit with stems (Cucumis melo) from Japan into the United States. Based on the analysis, the agency has determined specific phytosanitary measures that growers, packers, and shippers must meet to minimize the risk of introducing plant pests and noxious weeds into the United States. APHIS is making the pest risk analysis available to the public for review and comment. The agency is proposing to revise the existing conditions for importation of melons from Japan, which do not allow the importation of melons with stems, and which do not authorize importation to the continental United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. Currently, imports of all varieties of melon fruit (Cucumis melo) from Japan are only allowed into Hawaii and the varieties honeydew and cantaloupe melons are allowed into Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).APHIS is making the pest risk analysis available to the public for review and comment, and will consider all comments received on or before July 20, 2021. To view the notice, pest risk assessment, risk management document, economic evaluation assessment, and the comments that we received, go to http://www.regulations.gov, and enter APHIS-2020-0100 in the search field. After reviewing comments, APHIS will announce a final decision regarding the authorization into the United States of all varieties of fresh melon fruit with stems from Japan in a subsequent notice.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
