Indonesia recognizes California as fruit fly-free - FreshFruitPortal.com

Indonesia recognizes California as fruit fly-free

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Indonesia recognizes California as fruit fly-free

California-grown fresh fruit no longer requires pre-departure treatment for shipments to Indonesia, after authorities from the Asian country declared the U.S. state as free of fruit fly. California

A report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Global Agriculture Information Network (GAIN) said a decree was signed on June 22 by the head of Indonesia's phytosanitary service.

The decree is the outcome of an assessment and verification visit to the U.S. by the Indonesian Agriculture Quarantine Agency (IAQA) in early June 2015.

The development affects all fresh fruit produced in California.

Various types of fruit flies are covered in the decree, including Ceratitis capitata, Anastrepaha fraterculus, Anastrepha ludens, Anastrepha obligua, Anastrepha serpentina, Anastrepha suspense, Rhagoletis cingulate, Rhagoletis fausta and Rhagoletis pomonella.

The report added the USDA and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) must provide the head of the IAQA with an annual fruit fly surveillance report, along with an additional report in the event of a detection or fruit fly outbreak.

The recognition will be revoked if verification shows the USDA and the CDFA 'are unable to maintain California as a fruit fly free area'.

A representative of the California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) told www.freshfruitportal.com the organization 'appreciated' Indonesia's recognition of California's rigid surveillance activities to support pest free areas.

"It is critically important for fresh agricultural commodities for the place of production to be able to confirm where pests of potentially significant harm are present and where they are absent," director of trade Marcy Martin said.

"Fruit flies are especially concerning, in that they can infest a wide range of host commodities that are produced within California. California's CDFA pest exclusion branch conducts surveys to monitor and/or identify and contain if certain pests are detected within the state.

"This allows for a rapid response, such as implementing a quarantine to contain what may be a possible infestation."

She added that like many other trade partners, Indonesia recognized California had rigorous fruit fly regulations in place.

"Because of the wide range of fruit fly hosts, it is critical for our agricultural economy to maintain pest exclusion regulations to prevent the introduction or spread of harmful pests within the agricultural sector or its environment.

"Unlike other pests that producers many need to manage within California, areas where fruit flies are present would otherwise severely restrict the movement of many commodities both within, out of, or to export markets without the appropriate quarantine treatments to mitigate the pathway to prevent further distribution."

California Table Grape Commission vice president of international marketing, Susan Day, was positive about the Indonesian decision.

"With the confirmation from Indonesia that the U.S. food safety recognition has been renewed again, we are delighted that California grapes will be able to be exported to Indonesia without treatment," she said.

California Citrus Mutual (CCM) president, Joel Nelsen, said while there was a 'small opportunity' in the Indonesian market, it remained complicated for a variety of reasons.

"The Indonesians continue to have a protectionist policy in place in as much citrus cannot be imported into their country while their industry is harvesting and shipping," Nelsen said, refering to the country's four-month citrus import ban in place until the end of October.

"That in itself does not impact California much as this is not a peak export season, although we would have had some Valencia oranges sent to that country. The fact that it is arbitrary is the problem."

He said Indonesia authorities were also 'exerting their independence' by sending visitors to determine California's food safety programs and witness packing house operations, thereby confirming the state's pest and disease complex, 'or lack thereof'.

"Indonesia is a small opportunity for us at this time and a bit confusing with changes in that government," Nelsen added.

"Potentially there is an opportunity and we will try and accommodate their wish list but their wish list has to be reasonable in return."

Photo: Wikimedia Creative Commons

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