Medfly larvae prompts U.S. action on Moroccan citrus imports
Within two months of U.S. authorities lifting restrictions on Moroccan citrus imports, the North African country is again in the spotlight after fruit fly larvae was reportedly found in a clementine shipment that arrived at the Port of Philadelphia.
A source close to www.freshfruitportal.com said the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) responded to the event that occurred in mid-December, calling on Morocco's National Office of Sanitary Food Safety (ONSSA) to conduct a traceback investigation.
APHIS has reportedly asked for trapping data for the country's whole production area.
It is understood the shipment came from the Berkane area, and therefore APHIS will not be accepting citrus grown, harvested or transferred from that area.
The source claimed citrus from the Agadir region would still be allowed into the U.S.
Photo: www.shutterstock.com
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