California balking at Chilean grape systems approach

Worried over pest concerns, California grape interests are holding up a stop sign to the USDA proposal that would allow a "systems approach" to Chilean grape imports. This is significant because the proposal is viewed as an important side issue in the possible deal between Chile and the U.S to move the effective date of California desert grape marketing order (triggering mandatory import quality inspections) from April 20 to April 10.

Kathleen Nave of the California Table Grape Commission wrote in an Oct. 24 comment that they felt surprised by the proposed rule:

"As noted earlier, we are particularly concerned that,in spite of our very close relationship with APHIS and ongoing discussions about a host of pest and disease issues, we have only now learned about this matter - and then only through a Federal Register notice."

Here is the argument from Chilean interests, this penned by Andy Economou of Unifrutti...

The systems approach is a well-established and effective method for reducing phytosanitary risk with significant commercial validation on a variety of fruit and vegetable commodities. As noted in the proposed rule, its efficacy was proven in two pilot programs conducted by the Servicio Agricola y Ganadero, the national plant protection organization of Chile, with the cooperation of the USDNAPHIS, during the 200212003 and 2006/2007 growing seasons. The systems approach for products shipped from Chile is especially appropriate given Chile's natural defenses to phytosanitary infestation, nearly forty years of close cooperation with APHIS on managing phytosanitary risk and well-developed infrastructure that assures implementation of the risk management plan. The systems approach has already been adopted as an effective phytosanitary measure in the importation of tomatoes, clementines mandarins and tangerines from Chile. We also note that APHIS has proposed to use the same systems approach for sweet oranges and grape fruit from Chile. Please see Docket No. APHIS-2007-0 1 15.


TK: Economou also notes the systems approach would reduce the use of the ozone destroying fumigant methyl bromide on Chilean grapes. Nave and a whole host of California interests have proposed a 60 day extension to the comment period; the end of the comment period was Oct. 27 and no word yet about an extension. Could that mean this rule will happen without delay, despite California objections? Stay tuned.