The United States Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has got the ball rolling in the process for a potential opening for Egyptian fresh pepper imports.

Following a request from the Egyptian Government, the agency has drafted a pathway-initiated risk assessment for the commodity, and will be accepting comments for a 30-day period.

Considering Egypt's fresh pepper production system, involving raised bed greenhouses from seedlings using drip irrigation systems followed by thorough cleaning during packing, APHIS identified seven organisms that had a reasonable likelihood of association with the commodity.

Two of the pests were struck from the list, leaving five of which one had a high rating for likelihood of introduction - Ceratitis capitata, or the Mediterranean fruit fly.

Other pests with a medium risk rating included Autographa gamma, Chrysodeixis chalcites, Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera littoralis.

The draft risk assessment does not include recommended phytosanitary measures to control the pests mentioned.

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