USDA eyes opening U.S. market to Indian mangos
USDA eyes opening U.S. market to Indian mangos
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is considering opening the U.S. market to mangos from India after 17 years. But the world's largest producer of mangos will still need to overcome several obstacles to seal the deal.
U.S. agriculture officials have been reluctant to open the U.S. market to mangos from India because it was never assured that shipments would be pest-free. While India is the world's largest producer of mangos, it exports less than 1 percent of its crop. Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United States do not accept India's mangos.
With President Bush arriving in New Delhi for a historic visit, U.S. and Indian agricultural officials have been discussing ways to reopen the U.S. market.
Irradiating the mangos appears to be the trigger for the policy change, said a Bush administration official. On Feb. 17, India and the U.S. Department of Agriculture signed a framework equivalency work plan that could allow mangos into the U.S. market in as early as 24 months.
But in order to comply with the rule, India would have to agree to an expensive preclearance program that must include onsite inspections by USDA's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service authorities and facility approvals. Sources said that India will need to conduct research on the varieties of mango that would be affected by the dose of irradiation required to ensure pest-free shipments. Recognizing the cost of irradiation, India has also asked APHIS to continue considering the use of vapor heat and other quarantine measures. The technique of vapor heat for certain pests has not been approved by APHIS, so data would need to be collected in order for the method to be approved.
U.S. agriculture officials have been reluctant to open the U.S. market to mangos from India because it was never assured that shipments would be pest-free. While India is the world's largest producer of mangos, it exports less than 1 percent of its crop. Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United States do not accept India's mangos.
With President Bush arriving in New Delhi for a historic visit, U.S. and Indian agricultural officials have been discussing ways to reopen the U.S. market.
Irradiating the mangos appears to be the trigger for the policy change, said a Bush administration official. On Feb. 17, India and the U.S. Department of Agriculture signed a framework equivalency work plan that could allow mangos into the U.S. market in as early as 24 months.
But in order to comply with the rule, India would have to agree to an expensive preclearance program that must include onsite inspections by USDA's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service authorities and facility approvals. Sources said that India will need to conduct research on the varieties of mango that would be affected by the dose of irradiation required to ensure pest-free shipments. Recognizing the cost of irradiation, India has also asked APHIS to continue considering the use of vapor heat and other quarantine measures. The technique of vapor heat for certain pests has not been approved by APHIS, so data would need to be collected in order for the method to be approved.