The Plant Protection Unit within the Ministry of Agriculture has lifted the ban for the importation of citrus fruits, limes, lemons, oranges, tangerines and grapefruits, once they are subjected to certain pre-export treatment.
The unit made the decision following the completion of a risk assessment to determine whether citrus fruits from Florida could be imported to Antigua and Barbuda.
In a statement issued to the media on the weekend, the unit appealed to importers to pay keen attention to the rules that must be followed before importing citrus fruits from the United States.
The unit said a valid Import Permit must be sought from Plant Protection and presented to the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services officials to acquire a Phytosanitary Certificate and both documents must be presented to Plant Quarantine Inspectors in Antigua and Barbuda for clearance to enter the country.
The importers were also informed that limes and lemons imported into the United States and then re-exported to the country will continue to be permitted entry in commercial quantities with Import Permission issued by the Plant Protection Unit.
“Other citrus fruit are permitted only if grown in Florida. Import is restricted to commercial quantities only. Personal import of citrus fruits from the United States IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Citrus fruits which enter in contravention of the above stated conditions WILL be confiscated and/or destroyed,” the release stated.
The twin-island state had discontinued the importation of oranges from Florida because they contained fruit flies – an invasive pest that has infested farmlands in Miami. The country was, however, still obtaining bitter lemons and limes from the United States territory.
Ban on importation of citrus fruits lifted
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