Importation of Clementines From Spain

We are amending the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow the importation of clementines from Spain to resume if the clementines are cold treated en route to the United States, and provided that other pre-treatment and post-treatment requirements are met. These requirements include provisions that the clementines be grown in accordance with a Mediterranean fruit fly management program established by the Government of Spain, that the clementines be subject to an inspection regimen that includes fruit cutting prior to, and after, cold treatment, and that the clementines meet other conditions designed to protect against the introduction of the Mediterranean fruit fly into the United States. This final rule also includes restrictions on the distribution of imported Spanish clementines for the 2002-2003 shipping season. We are taking this action based on our finding that the restrictions described in this final rule will reduce the risk of introduction of Mediterranean fruit fly associated with the importation of clementines from Spain.