Previous Story
US may allow entry of Philippine mangoes
|
Posted on Dec 15 1999
The entry of Philippine mangoes, specifically from Guimaras province, into the United States is moving at a slow pace as the U.S. Department of Agriculture wanted confirmatory tests conducted in the Philippines for fruit flies.
According to Philippine Agricultural Attache to Washington Victoriano B. Leviste, the quarantine protocol on the two existing fruit flies found in Guimaras, namely B. philippinensis and B. occipitalis, where the tests are being conducted, has not yet been approved by the U.S. Animal Plant Health Inspection Service.
The Philippines will have to wait for the Federal Register to be completed before it can be allowed to export to the U.S. Earlier, the importing country cited its preference for Guimaras mangoes owing to the province’s quarantine advantage.
As part of its quarantine protocol, the U.S. wants Guimaras to be rendered a pest-free zone from mango seed weevil (Sternochetus mangifera) and pulp weevil (Sternochetus frigidus).
U.S. Agriculture officials are still looking at the possibility of certifying the irradiation facility as suitable for treatment for exports in the absence of final approval of the required tests still being undertaken by both the U.S. and Philippine governments.
During the centennial celebration last year in the Philippine Embassy in Washington, guests were served the famous Guimaras mangoes. Members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, businessmen and American friends of the Embassy got the chance to savor the unique taste of the Philippine mango.
