Colombian celery, arugula and spinach has received the go ahead for exports to the U.S., following the state inspection authorities' decision to start issuing import permits this month.

The move follows a 60-day consultation about proposals to allow the produce into the U.S. after a risk analysis of three potential pests by the U.S. Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

APHIS concluded that the pea leaf miner, Liriomyza huidobrensis, had a high risk of entry via fresh celery and spinach but was easily spotted through visual inspections.

It also noted that visual inspections were sufficient for detecting the pest in spinach exported from Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.

Colombia's national plant organization will be required to issue the necessary phytosanitary certificates with an additional declaration that shipments are free from Liriomyza huidobrensis.

Celery certificates need a declaration stating the cargo is also free of Copitarsia decolora and Planococcus lilacinus, while spinach must state it is free from Copitarsia incommoda and Diabrotica speciosa.

The produce must be imported to the U.S. as commercial shipments and each consignment will be subject to inspection at the U.S. port of arrival.

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