APHIS Will Not Extend Stay on Import Regulations for Lemons from Northwest Argentina

[Header] Having trouble viewing this email? [View it as a Web page](. [Bookmark and Share]( WASHINGTON, May 1, 2017—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will not extend beyond May 26, 2017, the stay of the final regulation regarding the importation of commercial consignments of fresh lemons from northwest Argentina into the continental United States (Importation of Lemons From Northwest Argentina, 81 Fed. Reg. 94217 (Dec. 23, 2016) Docket No. APHIS-2014-0092). The final rule will go into effect when the stay expires on May 26, 2017. On December 23, 2016, APHIS published a final rule amending the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow the importation of lemons from northwest Argentina into the continental United States under conditions designed to safeguard American agricultural production. The final rule can be viewed [here](. The final rule became effective on January 23, 2017, but was stayed on January 25, 2017, for 60 days, and again on March 17, 2017, for an additional 60 days. USDA will work with Argentina’s National Food Safety and Quality Service (SENASA) to finalize the operational work plan described in the final regulation. For 2017 and 2018, Argentine lemons would be imported only into the northeastern United States. Under the final rule, numerous requirements must first be met before the lemons can enter the United States. The requirements are in keeping with sound science, and with the conditions we would expect all trading partners to apply to U.S. exports. As authorized by the Plant Protection Act, USDA will not permit entry of lemons from northwest Argentina until all requirements are met. # --------------------------------------------------------------- [Bookmark and Share]( [null] Questions about APHIS programs and services? [Contact Us]( STAY CONNECTED: [Visit Us on Twitter]( [Visit Us on YouTube]( [Sign up for email updates]( SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: [Manage Preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [Help]( --------------------------------------------------------------- This email was sent to {EMAIL} using GovDelivery, on behalf of: USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service · 4700 River Rd · Riverdale, MD 20737 [Powered by GovDelivery](