The U.S. authorities' proposal to allow European apple and pear imports under a systems approach has been reopened for comments, giving stakeholders more time to present their views on the issue.

In January, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposed allowing pome fruit exporters from eight European countries - Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands - the opportunity to ship under the new system instead of a preclearance program.

APHIS was initially opening the proposed rule for comments until March 21, but now the period has been extended by an additional 45 days to May 5, 2016.

"This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments," APHIS said.

Northwest Horticultural Council executive vice president Mark Powers told www.freshfruitportal.com his organization had asked APHIS to extend the comment period and supported the decision.

"That will allow folks to take a closer look at the pest list and pest mitigation measures and all the technical documents that can outline the processes and procedures that APHIS is considering in terms of changing the rule," Powers said.

"Obviously from early on in the 80s the reason that preclearance program exists is because the Pear Leaf Blister Moth was arriving in infested shipments into the United States.

"There were some unexplained reasons for that of concern, so there are pests that are in Europe that we do not have here, that if they were to become established would present a serious threat to our orchards and our growing regions."

Powers emphasized that opening trade to other countries wishing to enter the United States market was important for trade relationships and the export industry, but unnecessary risks needed to be avoided.

He cited the Spotted Wing Drosophila and the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug as two introduced pests that had caused significant challenges for U.S. Northwest fruit growers in recent years.

At the time of writing there were six comments on the proposal.

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