The Government of Peru has asked USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to authorize the importation of fresh dragon fruit ( Selenicereus costaricensis, S. megalanthus, S. monacanthus, and S. undatus) for consumption into the United States. APHIS has drafted a pest risk assessment that describes potential pests associated with the commodity.The original market access was for commercial fresh pitahaya fruit Hylocereus costaricensis, H. megalanthus, H. monacanthus, and H. undatus. However, the currently accepted scientific name for these species is Selenicereus costaricensis, S. megalanthus, S. monacanthus, and S. undatus, respectively (National Genetic Resources Program, 2021). APHIS developed the pest risk assessment with the current taxonomy of the commodity. The common name is dragon fruit.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 risk mitigations and proceed with the commodity import approval process.The draft pest risk assessment for fresh dragon fruit will be available for review and comment until Aug. 23, 2021. 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
