The U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is considering new import rules for Chilean kiwifruit that would allow for a systems approach, removing current requirements that fruit be inspected in Chile or treated with methyl bromide.

The proposed rule was published on the Federal Register and will be open for comments until Dec. 15.

"Under this systems approach, the fruit would have to be grown in a place of production that is registered with the Government of Chile and certified as having a low prevalence of Brevipalpus chilensis," APHIS said.

"The fruit would have to undergo pre-harvest sampling at the registered production site.

"Following post-harvest processing, the fruit would have to be inspected in Chile at an approved inspection site."

APHIS added that each kiwifruit consignment would need to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration that the fruit is free of Brevipalpus chilensis, based on field and packhouse inspections.

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