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September 9, 2002, Sherman Oaks, Calif….. Today Sunkist Growers submitted detailed comments to USDA objecting to the readmission of Spanish clementines into the U.S. marketplace. “Sunkist Growers, on behalf of its 6,000 members, has consistently maintained that the resumption of shipments to the United States should only be permitted when reliable scientific information exists to substantiate any change in status. We are deeply concerned that appropriate phytosanitary protections would not be maintained for our industry or other impacted commodities by the proposed rule….Given the potential negative consequences associated with combating a plant pest outbreak in the United States, our growers would hope that APHIS would at least maintain the current level of quarantine security while awaiting the research results on cold treatment and thereafter, make substantial changes to the protocol, as necessary, before allowing the resumption of shipments.” In short, the current ban on imports of this Medfly-prone citrus fruit should remain in place until Spain has instituted a credible, verifiable Medfly eradication program. The Spanish must show that their citrus is grown in pest-free areas of production and is free of Medfly infestation, as is currently demanded by USDA of other foreign countries. The current proposed rule does not provide that level of security, and instead grants Spain preferential treatment that is less stringent than USDA requirements upon other trading partners and American growers. A major component of Sunkist Growers’ comment to USDA is the recommendation that Spain be required to methyl bromide fumigate their citrus prior to export, while needed research to correct their deficient cold treatment program is undertaken and completed. Given the large number of Medfly larvae imported into the U.S. last year by Spanish citrus growers under cold treatment, it is fully appropriate and reasonable to demand an enhanced fumigation program to deal with their Medfly infestations. Additionally, Sunkist has called for the exclusion of some 19 U.S. states from Spanish clementine imports until all corrective measures are established and proven operational. The complete text of Sunkist Growers’ comments to USDA may be viewed on Sunkist Growers’ website @ www.sunkist.com. # # # Sunkist Growers is a grower-owned citrus marketing cooperative comprised of 6,000 citrus growers in California and Arizona.
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