Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2001/06/14/01-14937/importation-of-mangoes-from-the-philippines
Timestamp: 2014-03-07 14:44:09
Document Index: 179983683

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 319', '§ 319', '§ 319', '§ 319', '§ 319', '§ 319', '§ 319', '§ 319', '§ 319', '§ 319']

Federal Register | Importation of Mangoes From the Philippines
Dates: June 14, 2001.
-32213 (4 pages)
Document Number: 01-14937
Shorter URL: https://federalregister.gov/a/01-14937 Related Topics
We solicited comments concerning our proposal for 60 days ending March 23, 2001. We received four comments by that date. They were from a State agriculture agency, a foreign government, and a firm representing foreign governmental and nongovernmental organizations. Two of the commenters suggested several editorial changes to the background section of the proposed rule. Those suggested changes did not, however, relate to the regulatory provisions of § 319.56-2ii or our rational basis for those provisions, so there is no need to make any changes in this final rule as a result of those comments.
With regard to the trust fund agreement provided for by § 319.56-2ii(f), one commenter recommended that the agreement be similar to those that Animal and Plant Health InspectionService (APHIS) has previously arranged with the Governments of Japan and the Republic of Korea and offered specific examples of the types of expenses that should be covered. While the commenter's suggestions may, in fact, be reflected in the actual trust fund agreement that we arrange with the Republic of the Philippines Department of Agriculture (RPDA), it is not necessary to amend § 319.56-2ii(f) as a result of that comment, as that portion of the final rule simply provides for the use of a trust fund agreement as one element of the mango import program. Specific details such as those suggested by the commenter will be worked out between APHIS and the RPDA before the trust fund agreement is signed.
In the proposed rule, we noted that several plant pests, including the mango seed weevil (Sternochetus mangiferae) and fruit flies of the genus Bactrocera, are known to attack mangoes in the Philippines. While Guimaras Island has been shown to be free of the mango seed weevil, no claims were made as to the freedom of Guimaras Island from fruit flies. Indeed, our concerns about two fruit fly species B. occipitalis and B. philippinensis led us to propose the vapor heat treatment requirement for the mangoes found in § 319.56-2ii(b) of this final rule. That vapor heat treatment has been shown, through confirmatory tests conducted by the Department's Agricultural Research Service, to be effective in mitigating the risk presented by B. occipitalis and B. philippinensis. Given the availability and required application of an effective treatment for the fruit flies of concern and the freedom of Guimaras Island from the mango seed weevil, we do not believe that it is necessary or justifiable to prohibit the movement into Florida of mangoes grown and shipped in accordance with the requirements of this rule.
Table 1.—Quantity and Value of U.S. Mango Imports, 1995-1999 Back to Top
The quantity of mangoes that may be imported into the United States from GuimarasIsland as a result of this rule is not known. According to data from the Philippines' Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, about 2,106 metric tons were produced in Guimaras in 1993. Production jumped to 10,740 metric tons in 1994, reached a high of 16,440 metric tons in 1996, declined to 12,736 metric tons in 1997, and stood at 10,041 metric tons in 1998. Data for the years following 1998 were not available, but our experience with mango production on Guimaras leads us to believe that current production levels there are similar those prior to 1998. The proportion of Guimaras' mango production that is represented by export-grade fruit is not available. While specific data for exports from Guimaras are likewise not available, the Philippines already has well-established export markets in at least a dozen countries, with the largest amount of exports going to Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore. The Philippines can be expected to continue to serve those established export markets as well as its domestic markets. If half of Guimaras' 1997 production (i.e., 6,368 metric tons) was exported to the United States, it would represent an amount roughly double that which was harvested domestically in that year (1997 being the last year for which Florida mango production data were reported). However, given the large quantity of mangoes imported from Mexico and other countries, 6,368 metric tons represent only about 3.3 percent of what the U.S. supply was in 1997, and an even smaller proportion of today's supply; between 1997 and 1999, U.S. mango imports increased by more than 17 percent.
The importation of mangoes from Guimaras Island is not expected to significantly affectU.S. mango producers. The amount imported will be very small compared to current import levels. Moreover, much of Florida's harvest (the source of 97 percent of domestic production in 1997) is consumed within that State or is processed into chutney and other products; these markets are unlikely to be affected by the availability of an additional source of imported fresh mangoes.
2.A new § 319.56-2ii is added to read as follows: § 319.56-2ii Administrative instructions: conditions governing the entry of mangoes from the Philippines.
(a) Limitation of origin. The mangoes must have been grown on the island of Guimaras, which the Administrator has determined meets the criteria set forth in § 319.56-2(e)(4) and § 319.56-2(f) with regard to the mango seed weevil (Sternochetus mangiferae).
(c) APHIS inspection. Mangoes from the Philippines are subject to inspection under the direction of an inspector, either in the Philippines or at the port of first arrival in the United States. Mangoes inspected in the Philippines are subject to reinspection at the port of first arrival in the United States as provided in § 319.56-6.
(d) Labeling. Each box of mangoes must be clearly labeled in accordance with § 319.56-2(g).