The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is authorizing the importation of fragrant pears from an additional production area in China. This completes work on a commodity listed in Phase One of the Plant Health of the Economic and Trade Agreement between the United States of America and The People’s Republic of China. The approved area that can ship fragrant pears now includes the Akesu region of Xinjiang Province, in addition to the already approved Korla region of the same province.
“By expanding the area in China from which fragrant pears can be shipped, the United States has fulfilled a commitment made as part of the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach. “We look forward to realizing the benefits that U.S. Agriculture will receive through compliance with all the elements of the deal.”
As part of this agreement, APHIS has outlined a series of protective measures to be taken by growers, packers, and shippers that, in combination, minimize pest risks prior to importation into the United States. In this case, the systems approach for fragrant pears includes production site and packinghouse requirements and commercial shipments only. Each shipment must also be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate attesting to place of origin, that all APHIS phytosanitary requirements have been met according to the work plan, and that the consignment was inspected and found free of quarantine pests prior to export.
Source : usda.gov