USDA allows raspberry imports from Morocco

Fresh raspberries from Morocco will be allowed for import into the U.S. starting Wednesday, according to an announcement by the Agriculture Department’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). “Based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, which we made available to the public for review and comment, we have determined that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of raspberries from Morocco,” APHIS said. Morocco expects to export 200 to 500 metric tons of fresh raspberries to the continental U.S. yearly, APHIS said. The import authorization is subject to several phytosanitary measures. The national plant protection organization of Morocco must develop an operational work plan subject to APHIS approval that details the activities that the agency would carry out to comply with the phytosanitary requirements. Further, the fresh raspberries must be imported only in commercial consignments and must be grown at a place of production registered with Morocco’s national plant protection organization, among several other requirements, APHIS said.