Argentina lemons

The USDA in the Sept. 27 Federal Register has extended the availability of a draft pest risk assessment for Argentina lemons for 60 days. Now the comment period will end Dec. 11.

One source said the extension was wanted by all parties; Argentina to work on data that shows the Medfly should not be a concern for Argentina lemons, and Arizona and California sources who are raising red flags about the Medfly. While lemons are not generally thought to be a Medfly host, Spanish lemons - perhaps picked off the ground - were found with Medfly last season. That has caused the Medfly issue in Argentina to take on added importance in Argentina's quest to export lemons to the U.S.