APHIS Amends Import Requirements for Fresh Fig Fruit from Mexico in Federal Emergency Order

APHIS has determined that the introduction and establishment of BFF poses a serious threat to US agriculture including fresh fig fruits grown in the United States. APHIS has determined that additional import requirements for fresh fig fruit from Mexico are necessary to prevent the introduction and establishment of BFF in the United States. These restrictions are immediately needed and warranted to address plant pest risks associated with the importation of fresh figs from Mexico. Effective 24 August 2021, this federal order revises import requirements for fresh fig fruit (Ficus carica L.) imported from Mexico to prevent the introduction of black fig fly (BFF) (Silba adipata McAlpine) by imposing treatment requirements on all fresh figs from Mexico. To prevent the introduction of BFF into the United States via fresh fig fruit: Only commercial consignments of fresh fig fruit may be imported from Mexico; also, consignments of fresh fig fruit from Mexico will require mandatory irradiation treatment at 400 Gy, in accordance with Title 7 US Code of Federal Regulations Part 305; also irradiation treatment can occur in Mexico under an APHIS preclearance program, or upon-arrival in the United States at an APHIS-approved irradiation facility under a compliance agreement. All other shipments of fresh fig fruit from Mexico, including passenger baggage, conveyances, express couriers, or any other means are prohibited.

In March 2020, the Mexican government notified APHIS of BFF detections in the state of Morelos. On 30 July 2021, Mexico notified APHIS that BFF had been found in the states of Baja California Sur, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacán, Morelos, and Puebla, Mexico. Mexico also notified APHIS that BFF was not under official control. BFF is a lance fly species (Lonchaeidae) which attacks only figs but is considered one of the most important and destructive pests of figs. BFF is distributed throughout the Mediterranean region and the Middle East and has been introduced to South Africa. BFF has limited distribution in the United States. APHIS has determined that this species would be able to establish in fig growing areas of the United States.