U.S. to Allow Import of Citrus Fruit From Uruguay

Posted: February 6, 2013

Ambassador Julissa Reynoso with Uruguay Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, Tabare Aguerre and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Luis Almagro.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has proposed to modify the regulations to allow the import of citrus fruit from Uruguay.

The announcement was made Tuesday, February 5 during a press conference by the Ambassador of the United States, Julissa Reynoso, the Uruguay Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, Tabare Aguerre and the Uruguay Minister for Foreign Affairs, Luis Almagro.

This proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on Feb 6, 2013, and APHIS will receive comments from the general public of both countries during a period of sixty days.

After many years of dialogue, this step is a significant and positive outcome that benefits both nations. This important action has been achieved in the context of a relationship of comprehensive and excellent cooperation between the United States and Uruguay.

Ambassador Reynoso remarked she had recently visited the city of Salto invited by Minister Aguerre, where she met with local citrus producers.

This proposed rule is based on scientific assessments of the risks associated with the introduction of potential pests on citrus imports from Uruguay into the United States. Before citrus shipments disembark in the United States, fruit must have a pre-treatment to mitigate such risk.

All interested in submitting comments may do so before April 8. For the elaboration of the final rule, the Department of Agriculture of the United States will consider all comments received by that date. The same may be submitted in the electronic federal portal Regulations.gov (www.regulations.gov)