Under the new Plant Protection Act, violators face higher penalties than ever before for illegally transporting or distributing imported produce, such as Argentine citrus.
Industries are responsible for knowing the regulations governing Argentine citrus imports.
Background The Argentine citrus regulation is similar to the Mexican Hass avocado rule in that distribution limitations are specified in the final rule. During the first two shipping seasons, the fruit may not be distributed in the 5 citrus-growing States of the continental United States, and the 10 adjacent States. In response to concerns voiced by the domestic citrus industry and others, however, the final rule outlines a limited distribution plan for allowing the entry of Argentine citrus. For the 2004 shipping season and beyond, the fruit may be distributed in all areas of the continental United States. Argentine citrus imports will not be allowed outside the continental United States because the pest risk assessment did not examine the threats associated with importing citrus to Hawaii, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.