Importation of Fruits and Vegetables

We are amending the fruits and vegetables regulations to list a number of fruits and vegetables from certain parts of the world as eligible, under specified conditions, for importation into the United States. Many of these fruits and vegetables have been eligible for importation under permit, but were not specifically listed in the regulations. All of the fruits and vegetables, as a condition of entry, will be inspected and subject to treatment at the port of first arrival as may be required by an inspector. In addition, some of the fruits and vegetables will be required to be treated or meet other special conditions. We are also recognizing areas in several countries as free from certain fruit flies; adding, modifying, or removing certain definitions; modifying existing treatment requirements for specified commodities; and making other miscellaneous changes. These actions will improve the transparency of our regulations while continuing to protect against the introduction of quarantine pests through imported fruits and vegetables.