U.S. authorities have toughened up import regulations for certain Chilean fruits being exported from regions currently under quarantine due to recent Medfly findings. 

The U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will now require cold treatment for grapes, lemons and pomegranates being shipped to the North American country from the affected areas.

APHIS did not specify which areas were affected, although Chile's Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) in late March confirmed a Medfly outbreak in La Serena, capital of the northern Coquimbo region, and a couple of weeks later the pest was found in another key growing region in the center of the country - Valparaiso.

Quarantine zones with radii of 7.2km (4.5 miles) were established in both locations, although the Coquimbo zone was later expanded 1km further south following additional detections.

All three fruit crops will now require cold treatment in addition to the previously required methyl bromide fumigation.

The new regulations were implemented on Wednesday (May 13) with immediate effect. APHIS said the measures would apply to grape shipments through June 30, but in the case of pomegranates and lemons the measures would continue 'until further notice'.

In early April Chinese authorities enforced cold treatment for all fruit shipments from a quarantined area in the Coquimbo region.

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

www.freshfruitportal.com