Chilean baby kiwifruit producers can export to the U.S. without the need for fumigation, U.S. federal inspection officials announced this week.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), however, want a number of tight controls to prevent the possible spread of the mite brevipalpus chilensis.

Inspectors insisted fruit is grown on farms registered with the Chilean Government and certified as having a low prevalence of the pest.

They also called for pre-harvest sampling and post-harvest inspections at registered production sites in Chile.

Each consignment of fruit must have a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration saying the fruit is free from brevipalpus chilensis, based on field and packing house inspections.

The decision this week follows proposals published in March to replace methyl bromide fumigation with a systems approach to tackling possible infestation.

APHIS received 23 responses from growers, shippers and packers who were  were overwhelmingly in favor of the proposed controls.

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