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Michael J. Firko and Edward V. Podleckis
and native plants, as well as indigenous species of bumblebees, at significant risk.
The risk of introducing nonindigenous bumblebee pests was also considered to be
unacceptably high.
Permission was never granted for release of Bombus species not native to North
America. After adoption of this policy, foreign producers of bumblebee hives
collected live bumblebee queens from North America and used them to establish
colonies in Europe. They then requested authorization to import hives of foreignproduced B. impatiens back into the United States. For a short time, APHIS
granted permission for importation of these hives into the United States. But after
bumblebee and pollination scientists and stakeholders raised concerns about this
activity, APHIS expanded its risk assessment and conducted a probabilistic assessment to consider the likelihood that nonindigenous bumblebee pests such as
parasitic wasps and diseases might be imported with the foreign-produced hives.
We concluded that this activity placed native species at risk and revoked permission for importation of bumblebee hives produced outside of North America.
Current federal policy only allows the release of native species of Bombus that
have been produced in North America.
Importation of Fresh Unshu Orange Fruit from Japan
Quarantine 56 (Title 7 Code of Federal Regulations § 319.56) prohibits entry of
fruits and vegetables grown in foreign countries. Fresh produce is allowed entry
only if a risk assessment finds that there is no significant risk of introducing a
nonindigenous plant pest of quarantine significance. A series of risk assessments
conducted over recent decades have provided the technical basis for the current
status of Japanese Unshu Orange fruit that may enter the United States. Their
distribution is limited to states that do not produce commercial citrus crops.
The primary concern has always been a bacterial disease of citrus, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (Syn. X. campestris pv. citri), Citrus Canker A, and
Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. aurantifolii (Syn. X. campestris pv. citri), Citrus
Canker B. After several years of importation with no apparent pest introductions,
Japanese officials requested access to all 49 continental states. We conducted an
assessment that focused on risks to citrus-producing states (USDA 1995b) and
considered all potential plant pests that might be associated with shipments. We
identified several quarantine significant arthropods, pests, and diseases of citrus in
Japan. The assessment was forwarded to Japan, and we are currently awaiting
their risk mitigation proposals.
Importation of Fresh Avocado Fruit from Mexico
Mexico has been requesting access to the U.S. avocado market for at least 90
years. An assessment conducted by USDA led to a decision in 1914 that fresh
intact avocado fruit grown in Mexico would be denied entry into the United
Michael J. Firko and Edward V. Podleckis
and native plants, as well as indigenous species of bumblebees, at significant risk.
The risk of introducing nonindigenous bumblebee pests was also considered to be
unacceptably high.
Permission was never granted for release of Bombus species not native to North
America. After adoption of this policy, foreign producers of bumblebee hives
collected live bumblebee queens from North America and used them to establish
colonies in Europe. They then requested authorization to import hives of foreignproduced B. impatiens back into the United States. For a short time, APHIS
granted permission for importation of these hives into the United States. But after
bumblebee and pollination scientists and stakeholders raised concerns about this
activity, APHIS expanded its risk assessment and conducted a probabilistic assessment to consider the likelihood that nonindigenous bumblebee pests such as
parasitic wasps and diseases might be imported with the foreign-produced hives.
We concluded that this activity placed native species at risk and revoked permission for importation of bumblebee hives produced outside of North America.
Current federal policy only allows the release of native species of Bombus that
have been produced in North America.
Importation of Fresh Unshu Orange Fruit from Japan
Quarantine 56 (Title 7 Code of Federal Regulations § 319.56) prohibits entry of
fruits and vegetables grown in foreign countries. Fresh produce is allowed entry
only if a risk assessment finds that there is no significant risk of introducing a
nonindigenous plant pest of quarantine significance. A series of risk assessments
conducted over recent decades have provided the technical basis for the current
status of Japanese Unshu Orange fruit that may enter the United States. Their
distribution is limited to states that do not produce commercial citrus crops.
The primary concern has always been a bacterial disease of citrus, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (Syn. X. campestris pv. citri), Citrus Canker A, and
Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. aurantifolii (Syn. X. campestris pv. citri), Citrus
Canker B. After several years of importation with no apparent pest introductions,
Japanese officials requested access to all 49 continental states. We conducted an
assessment that focused on risks to citrus-producing states (USDA 1995b) and
considered all potential plant pests that might be associated with shipments. We
identified several quarantine significant arthropods, pests, and diseases of citrus in
Japan. The assessment was forwarded to Japan, and we are currently awaiting
their risk mitigation proposals.
Importation of Fresh Avocado Fruit from Mexico
Mexico has been requesting access to the U.S. avocado market for at least 90
years. An assessment conducted by USDA led to a decision in 1914 that fresh
intact avocado fruit grown in Mexico would be denied entry into the United