The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today published the final import rule for Colombian Hass avocados, with the fruit to be allowed into the country from Sept. 14.

The market access was first announced last week by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence during a visit to the South American country.

The posting states imports will be allowed into the continental U.S. under a systems approach.

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection (APHIS) responded to several commenters on the proposed rule, published in October 2016, that the phytosanitary risk outweighed any potential monetary gains.

"This action was predicated on the findings of several risk assessment documents that provide a scientific basis for potential importation of fresh Hass avocado fruit from Colombia," it said.

"Without these risk assessment documents, which have withstood several reviews and public comment periods, APHIS would not have proposed this action.

"Economic interests may stimulate consideration of the expansion of trade of agricultural commodities between countries, but all decision making concerning phytosanitary restrictions on trade must be science-based."

Among the USDA's stipulations for import is that fruit that has fallen from the trees would have to be removed from each place of production at least once every seven days, starting two months before harvest and continuing to the end of harvest. 

"The 7-day interval is consistent with the requirement we have successfully used for years in relation to the importation of fresh Hass avocado fruit from Mexico and Peru," it said.

It added it would require the fresh avocados to be packed in insect-proof packaging, or covered with insect-proof mesh or a plastic tarpaulin, for transport to the United States.

These safeguards would have to remain intact until arrival in the U.S, it explained.

"Therefore, for the reasons given in the proposed rule and in this document, we are adopting the proposed rule as a final rule, with the changes discussed in this document," the USDA said.

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