The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is authorizing the importation of all varieties of fresh melon fruit with stems (Cucumis melo) from Japan into the United States. Based on a pest risk 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 previously made the pest risk analysis available to the public for review and comment.Protective measures to mitigate risk during importation require that fresh melon fruit with stems from Japan must be imported as commercial consignments only; each consignment must be inspected and accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the Japanese national plant protection organization stating that the melon fruit with stems are free of cucumber green mottle mosaic virus; and each consignment is subject to inspection upon arrival in the United States.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
