U.S. authorities have amended regulations to allow imports of Australian mangoes, using the same treatment options given to Pakistan against the fungus Cytosphaera mangiferae.

In a final rule, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) said exporters would need to undertake a systems approach, complying with a series of measures including broad-spectrum fungicide treatment.

Irradiation will also be necessary to ward off the risk of mango seed weevil and fruit flies.

Unlike their Pakistani counterparts, Australian mango shippers will have the option to irradiate the fruit at home or on U.S. soil.

"The mangoes would also have to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration that the conditions for importation have been met," the rule said.

"This action would allow the importation of mangoes from Australia while continuing to protect against the introduction of plant pests into the United States."

APHIS expects Australia to ship roughly 1,200 metric tons (MT) of mangoes to the U.S. annually, representing about 0.5% of the North American country's total mango imports.

More details on the final rule are available on the Federal Register.

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