Interstate Movement of Fruits and Vegetables From Hawaii

We are amending the regulations to remove vapor heat treatment as an approved treatment for bell pepper, eggplant, Italian squash, and tomato moved interstate from Hawaii. This action is necessary because these four commodities can serve as hosts for the solanum fruit fly, which has been detected in Hawaii. Vapor heat treatment is not an approved treatment for that pest. We are also providing for the use of irradiation as an approved treatment for all Capsicum spp. (peppers) and Cucurbita spp. (squash) moved interstate from Hawaii. This action will relieve unnecessary restrictions on the interstate movement of peppers and squash and allow a greater variety of Capsicum spp. and Cucurbita spp. to be moved interstate from Hawaii.