Federal agricultural authorities are requesting public feedback on potential changes to regulations governing fresh pineapple imports from the Philippines and Thailand.
Officials have completed plant risk assessments and risk management studies related to bringing fresh pineapple fruit from these two countries into the United States for human consumption.
Under current rules, fresh pineapples from the Philippines can only enter Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the North Atlantic region of the United States. Meanwhile, Thai pineapple imports are permitted at all U.S. entry points except Hawaii, but must undergo irradiation treatment.
Plant protection agencies in both the Philippines and Thailand have requested APHIS to broaden import permissions, allowing all fresh pineapple varieties to enter through any U.S. port. Thailand has also asked for approval to ship fresh pineapples without requiring irradiation treatment.
The completed risk assessments examine potential threats from plant pests and invasive weeds that could accompany fresh pineapple shipments from these nations. The accompanying risk management documents outline proposed safety measures to address identified concerns.
Federal officials are now making these assessment and management documents available for public examination and comment.
