The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued an update on import requirements for Chilean table grapes under the Systems Approach, a protocol that was annulled by the Federal District Court of Columbia.
The resolution, issued on September 30 by federal judge Amir H. Ali, effectively reverses the measure that exempted the fruit from the South American country from being fumigated with methyl bromide due to mitigation measures applied at origin.
The shutdown of the North American government, which began on October 1, delayed the agency's update of import rules. An agreement in the US Senate, signed by President Donald Trump on November 13, resumed federal government operations, which led to the USDA updating the fresh produce import rules.
In its update, the USDA indicated that, in compliance with the Federal Court order and while awaiting new legal action, "APHIS will only issue import permits for grapes treated with fumigation either in Chile or upon arrival at a US port of entry."
"APHIS will also issue import permits for grapes treated with fumigation plus cold treatment," the agency added.
In response, APHIS has made changes to the Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements (ACIR) database’s entry on Chilean table grape imports.
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