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<body><p><img src="embedded:image1.png" alt="image1.png"><img src="embedded:image2.jpg" alt="image2.jpg"></p>
<p><b>United States Department of Agriculture
</b></p>
<p><b>Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service</b></p>
<p><b>Plant Protection and Quarantine</b></p>
<p><b>
</b></p>
<p><b>Risk Management Document</b></p>
<p><b>Importation of Fresh Pepper – <i>Capsicum annuum</i> L., <i>Capsicum baccatum</i> L., <i>Capsicum chinense</i> Jacq,<i> Capsicum frutescens</i> L., and<i> Capsicum pubescens</i> Ruiz & Pav. – Fruit with Stems from Central America into the United States</b></p>
<p><b>January 15, 2010</b></p>
<p><b>Plant Health Programs (PHP)</b></p>
<p><b>Commodity Import Analysis and Operations (CIAO)
</b></p>
<p><b>Contact Person: <i>David Lamb</i></b></p>
<p><b>Introduction</b></p>
<p>This risk management document was prepared to provide risk management strategies for peppers from Panama following the development of a commodity-based, pathway-initiated risk analysis (PRA) that was conducted by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). </p>
<p>In 2004, APHIS prepared a pest risk assessment (PRA) to examine plant pest risks associated with the importation of fresh pepper fruit with stems (<i>Capsicum</i> spp., specifically the domesticated species <i>Capsicum annuum</i> L., <i>C. baccatum</i> L., <i>C. chinense</i> Jacq,<i> C. frutescens</i> L., and<i> C. pubescens</i> Ruiz & Pav.) in response to a request by the governments of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua (APHIS, 2004).  In 2008 in response to a request from Panama, APHIS updated the risk assessment document, and included Panama as an exporting country (APHIS 2009). </p>
<p>The PRA considered the risk associated with the import of  several species of <i>Capsicum</i> (<i>C. annuum</i>, <i>C. frutescens</i>, <i>C. baccatum</i>, and <i>C. chinense</i>) because of taxonomic uncertainty regarding the species status (


Walsh and Hoot, 2001 ADDIN EN.CITE ) and because wild populations of <i>C. annuum</i> merge with populations of <i>C. frutescens</i> and <i>C. chinense</i> (Eshbaugh, 1993). There is a wide overlap of common name usage among all domesticated <i>Capsicum</i> species (Bosland, 1996), so other two cultivated species (<i>C. pubescens</i> and <i>C. baccatum</i>) were also included in the PRA. </p>
<p>Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations 319 Part 56 (7 CFR § 319., 2007) provides regulatory authority for the importation of fruits and vegetables from foreign sources into the United States.</p>
<p>The PRA lists 12 quarantine pests that may follow the pathway of fresh peppers from Central America.  The pests include eight insects, one bacterium, one fungus, and two viruses, the pest risk potential of all of these pests is rated <b>High</b>:
</p>
<p><b>Insects</b></p>
<p><i>Anastrepha ludens</i> (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae) - Mexfly</p>
<p><i>Ceratitis capitata</i> Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae) - Medfly</p>
<p><i>Faustinus ovatipennis</i> (Champion) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) - weevil</p>
<p><i>Liriomyza huidobrensis</i> (Blanchard) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) – pea leafminer</p>
<p><i>Neoleucinodes elegantalis</i> (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) – tomato fruit borer</p>
<p><i>Phenacoccus parvus</i> Morrison (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) – lantana mealybug</p>
<p><i>Planococcus minor</i> (Maskell)
 (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) – passion vine mealybug</p>
<p><i>Thrips palmi</i> Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) – melon thrips</p>
<p><b>Bacterium</b></p>
<p><i>Ralstonia solanacearum</i> race 3 biovar 2 (Smith) Yabuuchi et al. (Burkholderiales)</p>
<p><b>Fungus</b></p>
<p><i>Puccinia pampeana</i> Speg. (Urediniomycetes: Uredinales) – rust fungus</p>
<p><b>Viruses
</b></p>
<p><i>Andean potato mottle virus</i> (APMoV) (Comoviridae)</p>
<p><i>Tomato severe leaf curl virus</i> (ToSLCV) (Geminiviridae)</p>
<p><b>Risk Mitigation Measures</b></p>
<p>The requirements for the importation of peppers from certain Central American countries are listed in the Code of Federal Regulations § 319.56-40<b>.  </b>The addition of Panama as an importing country in the PRA did not significantly change the pest list and therefore the risk mitigations are the same, except that in the revised PRA <i>Capsicum</i> spp. is reported as a minor host for <i>Opogona sacchari</i>.  Further, there have been no interceptions of <i>O. sacchari</i> associated with <i>Capsicum</i> spp. imports.  Therefore, the banana moth <i>Opogona sacchari</i>, is now listed as not following the pathway of fresh peppers, and has been removed from the list of pests that are inspected for in the risk mitigations below.  Also, tomato yellow mosaic virus has been dropped from the previous list of pests (need justification).  Bacterial wilt Ralstonia <i>solanacearum</i> race 3 biovar 2 and tomato severe leaf curl (need mitigations)(Note:  In reference to item (c) below, the PRA indicated that the only field host of Mexican fruit fly (<i>A. ludens</i>) is <i>C. pubescens</i>.  <i>Capsicum annuum</i> is a host of <i>A. ludens</i>, and other <i>Anastrepha</i> species, such as <i>A. distincta</i>, <i>A obliqua</i>, and <i>A. serpentina</i>, but only under laboratory conditions with artificial infestation, so those fruit fly species were not included in the PRA and hence mitigation measures not included in the risk management document.  The PRA found no evidence that <i>A. ludens</i> or the other <i>Anastrepha</i> species affect <i>C. annuum</i> in the field.  
</p>
<p>The following mitigations are listed under § 319.56-40 as requirements for importation of peppers. </p>
<p><b>§ 319.56-40   Peppers from certain Central American countries.
</b></p>
<p>Fresh peppers (Capsicum spp.) may be imported into the United States from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama only under the following conditions and in accordance with all other applicable provisions of this subpart:
</p>
<p>(a) For peppers of the species Capsicum annuum, Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum baccatum, and Capsicum chinense from areas free of Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly), terms of entry are as follows:
</p>
<p>(1) The peppers must be grown and packed in an area that has been determined by APHIS to be free of Medfly in accordance with the procedures described in §319.56–5 of this subpart.
</p>
<p>(2) A pre-harvest inspection of the growing site must be conducted by the national plant protection organization (NPPO) of the exporting country for the weevil <i>Faustinus ovatipennis</i>, pea leafminer, tomato fruit borer, lantana mealybug, passionvine mealybug, melon thrips, the rust fungus Puccinia pampeana, tomato severe leaf curl,<i> Ralstonia solanacearum</i> race 3 biovar 2 ,  Andean potato mottle virus ., and if these pests are found to be generally infesting the growing site, the NPPO may not allow export from that production site until the NPPO has determined that risk mitigation has been achieved.
</p>
<p>(3) The peppers must be packed in insect-proof cartons or containers or covered with insect-proof mesh or plastic tarpaulin at the packinghouse for transit to the United States. These safeguards must remain intact until arrival in the United States.
</p>
<p>(4) The exporting country's NPPO is responsible for export certification, inspection, and issuance of phytosanitary certificates. Each consignment of peppers must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO and bearing the declaration, “These peppers were grown in an area recognized to be free of Medfly.” and the consignment has been inspected and found free of the pests listed in the requirements.”
</p>
<p>(b) For peppers of the species <i>Capsicum annuum</i>, <i>Capsicum frutescens</i>, <i>Capsicum baccatum</i>, <i>Capsicum chinense</i>, and <i>Capsicum pubescens</i> from areas in which Medfly is considered to exist:
</p>
<p>(1) The peppers must be grown in approved production sites registered with the NPPO of the exporting country. Initial approval of the production sites will be completed jointly by the exporting country's NPPO and APHIS. The exporting country's NPPO will visit and inspect the production sites monthly, starting 2 months before harvest and continuing through until the end of the shipping season. APHIS may monitor the production sites at any time during this period.
</p>
<p>(2) Pepper production sites must consist of pest-exclusionary greenhouses, which must have double self-closing doors and have all other openings and vents covered with 1.6 mm (or less) screening.
</p>
<p>(3) Registered sites must contain traps for the detection of Medfly both within and around the production site.
</p>
<p>(i) Traps with an approved protein bait must be placed inside the greenhouses at a density of four traps per hectare, with a minimum of two traps per greenhouse. Traps must be serviced on a weekly basis.
</p>
<p>(ii) If a single Medfly is detected inside a registered production site or in a consignment, the registered production site will lose its ability to export peppers to the United States until APHIS and the exporting country's NPPO mutually determine that risk mitigation is achieved.
</p>
<p>(iii) Medfly traps with an approved lure must be placed inside a buffer area 500 meters wide around the registered production site, at a density of 1 trap per 10 hectares and a minimum of 10 traps. These traps must be checked at least every 7 days. At least one of these traps must be near the greenhouse. Traps must be set for at least 2 months before export and trapping must continue to the end of the harvest.
</p>
<p>(iv) Capture of 0.7 or more Medflies per trap per week will delay or suspend the harvest, depending on whether harvest has begun, for consignments of peppers from that production site until APHIS and the exporting country's NPPO can agree that the pest risk has been mitigated.
</p>
<p>(v) The greenhouse must be inspected prior to harvest for the weevil Faustinus ovatipennis, pea leafminer, tomato fruit borer,  lantana mealybug, passionvine mealybug, melon thrips, the rust fungus Puccinia pampeana, tomato severe leaf curl, <i>Ralstonia solanacearum</i> race 3 biovar 2 and Andean potato mottle virus . If any of these pests, or other quarantine pests, are found to be generally infesting the greenhouse, export from that production site will be halted until the exporting country's NPPO determines that the pest risk has been mitigated.
</p>
<p>(4) The exporting country's NPPO must maintain records of trap placement, checking of traps, and any Medfly captures. The exporting country's NPPO must maintain an APHIS-approved quality control program to monitor or audit the trapping program. The trapping records must be maintained for APHIS' review.
</p>
<p>(5) The peppers must be packed within 24 hours of harvest in a pest-exclusionary packinghouse. The peppers must be safeguarded by an insect-proof mesh screen or plastic tarpaulin while in transit to the packinghouse and while awaiting packing. Peppers must be packed in insect-proof cartons or containers, or covered with insect-proof mesh or plastic tarpaulin, for transit to the United States. These safeguards must remain intact until arrival in the United States or the consignment will be denied entry into the United States.
</p>
<p>(6) During the time the packinghouse is in use for exporting peppers to the United States, the packinghouse may accept peppers only from registered approved production sites.
</p>
<p>(7) The exporting country's NPPO is responsible for export certification, inspection, and issuance of phytosanitary certificates. Each consignment of peppers must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO and bearing the declaration, “These peppers were grown in an approved production site and the consignment has been inspected and found free of the pests listed in the requirements.” The shipping box must be labeled with the identity of the production site.
</p>
<p>(c) For peppers of the species <i>Capsicum pubescens</i> from areas in which Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) is considered to exist:
</p>
<p>(1) The peppers must be grown in approved production sites registered with the NPPO of the exporting country. Initial approval of the production sites will be completed jointly by the exporting country's NPPO and APHIS. The exporting country's NPPO must visit and inspect the production sites monthly, starting 2 months before harvest and continuing through until the end of the shipping season. APHIS may monitor the production sites at any time during this period.
</p>
<p>(2) Pepper production sites must consist of pest-exclusionary greenhouses, which must have double self-closing doors and have all other openings and vents covered with 1.6 mm (or less) screening.
</p>
<p>(3) Registered sites must contain traps for the detection of Mexfly both within and around the production site.
</p>
<p>(i) Traps with an approved protein bait must be placed inside the greenhouses at a density of four traps per hectare, with a minimum of two traps per greenhouse. Traps must be serviced on a weekly basis.
</p>
<p>(ii) If a single Mexfly is detected inside a registered production site or in a consignment, the registered production site will lose its ability to ship under the systems approach until APHIS and the exporting country's NPPO mutually determine that risk mitigation is achieved.
</p>
<p>(iii) Mexfly traps with an approved protein bait must be placed inside a buffer area 500 meters wide around the registered production site, at a density of 1 trap per 10 hectares and a minimum of 10 traps. These traps must be checked at least every 7 days. At least one of these traps must be near the greenhouse. Traps must be set for at least 2 months before export, and trapping must continue to the end of the harvest.
</p>
<p>(iv) Capture of 0.7 or more Mexflies per trap per week will delay or suspend the harvest, depending on whether harvest has begun, for consignments of peppers from that production site until APHIS and the exporting country's NPPO can agree that the pest risk has been mitigated.
</p>
<p>(v) The greenhouse must be inspected prior to harvest for the weevil <i>Faustinus ovatipennis</i>, pea leafminer, tomato fruit borer, , lantana mealybug, passionvine mealybug, melon thrips, the rust fungus <i>Puccinia pampeana</i>, tomato severe leaf curl, Andean potato mottle virus, and <i>Ralstonia solanacearum</i> race 3 biovar 2. If any of these pests, or other quarantine pests, are found to be generally infesting the greenhouse, export from that production site will be halted until the exporting country's NPPO determines that the pest risk has been mitigated.
</p>
<p>(4) The exporting country's NPPO must maintain records of trap placement, checking of traps, and any Mexfly captures. The exporting country's NPPO must maintain an APHIS-approved quality control program to monitor or audit the trapping program. The trapping records must be maintained for APHIS' review.
</p>
<p>(5) The peppers must be packed within 24 hours of harvest in a pest-exclusionary packinghouse. The peppers must be safeguarded by an insect-proof mesh screen or plastic tarpaulin while in transit to the packinghouse and while awaiting packing. Peppers must be packed in insect-proof cartons or containers, or covered with insect-proof mesh or plastic tarpaulin, for transit to the United States. These safeguards must remain intact until arrival in the United States or the consignment will be denied entry into the United States.
</p>
<p>(6) During the time the packinghouse is in use for exporting peppers to the United States, the packinghouse may accept peppers only from registered approved production sites.
</p>
<p>(7) The exporting country's NPPO is responsible for export certification, inspection, and issuance of phytosanitary certificates. Each consignment of peppers must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO and bearing the declaration, “These peppers were grown in an approved production site and the consignment has been inspected and found free of the pests listed in the requirements.” The shipping box must be labeled with the identity of the production site.
</p>
<p><b>Efficacy of Risk Mitigation Measures</b></p>
<p>Establishment of pest-free places of production obviates the need for post-harvest commodity treatments to achieve phytosanitary security (IPPC 1996; 1999).  Pest free places of production have been used successfully to prevent infestation by Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) for peppers of the species <i>Capsicum annuum</i>, <i>Capsicum frutescens</i>, <i>Capsicum baccatum</i>, and <i>Capsicum chinense</i> in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua since 2005.  No pests of quarantine significance have been intercepted by APHIS on peppers imported using this systems approach.</p>
<p>Central American fresh peppers produced under this systems approach will also be subject to inspection by Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the U.S. ports-of-entry. Infested fruit will be rejected, and traceback will be done by APHIS and the NPPO of the originating country to identify and correct problems including removal of the packinghouse or area of production from the export program. A systems approach can provide an alternative to single measures to meet the appropriate level of phytosanitary protection, or can be developed to provide phytosanitary protection in situations, in which no single measure is available (IPPC, 2002).  Fresh peppers from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua have been produced and exported to the United States under a systems approach for fruit flies for over four years with no interceptions of program pests. (USDA, 2009). </p>
<p>Pest-exclusionary greenhouses remove pests from production sites (7 CFR § 319.56-40 (b)(2)) and culling removes damaged and infested fruit at the packing house. As part of a systems approach these measures are effective at lowering pest populations.  No fruit flies have been intercepted on produce coming from pest exclusionary structures in any of the programs for peppers or tomatoes.</p>
<p><b>Summary</b></p>
<p>There are several risk management measures available for the high-risk pests identified above that will permit the importation of pepper from Panama while satisfying the appropriate level of phytosanitary protection for the United States. Pest-free places of pepper production, provide the level of phytosanitary security required by the United States. A systems approach utilizing pest-exclusion greenhouse as described above, employing a combination of measures acting independently, if properly implemented, also mitigates risk and provides an acceptable level of phytosanitary protection.</p>
<p><b>Authors
</b></p>
<p>Walter Gould, Senior Risk Manager
</p>
<p>APHIS-PPQ</p>
<p>Jose Hernandez, Senior Risk Manager
</p>
<p>APHIS-PPQ
</p>
<p>David B. Lamb, Import Specialist
</p>
<p>APHIS-PPQ</p>
<p><b>References</b></p>
<p>7 CFR § 319. 2007. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 7, Part 319 (7 CFR §319.56 - Fruit and Vegetable Quarantine Regulations).</p>
<p>IPPC. 1996. Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas. International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 4. Rome: Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
</p>
<p>IPPC. 1999. Requirements for the establishment of pest free places of production and pest free production sites. International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 10. Rome: Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
</p>
<p>IPPC. 2002. The use of integrated measures in a systems approach for pest risk management. International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 14. Rome: Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.</p>
<p>USDA. 2008b. Treatment Manual. USDA-APHIS-PPQ; http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/treatment.shtml
</p>
<p>USDA. 2009. Importation of Fresh Pepper- <i>Capsicum annuum </i>L., <i>Capsicum baccatum </i>L., <i>Capsicum chinense </i>Jacq, <i>Capsicum frutescens </i>L., and <i>Capsicum pubescens </i>Ruiz & Pav.- Fruit with Stems from Central America into the United States. A Qualitative, Pathway-Initiated Risk Analysis. January 21, 2009. Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Laboratory, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.</p>
<div class="footer"><p class="footer">PAGE  </p>
<p class="footer">3</p>
<p class="footer">Rev. 5

January 15, 2010</p>
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