The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is extending the comment period for a proposed rule that would allow the importation of Hass avocados from Colombia into the continental United States.
"We are also notifying the public of the availability of a revised pest risk assessment (PRA) and risk management document (RMD) associated with the proposed rule."
"Continued analysis by APHIS shows that the proposed importation of Hass avocados from Colombia poses a minimal risk of introducing pests of concern, including the pink hibiscus mealybug, into the United States. Extending the comment period will allow interested persons time to review the new information and to submit comments by the new closing date of March 20, 2017."
The comment period for the proposed rule published on October 27, 2016 has been extended until March 20, 2017. APHIS stated that they will consider all comments that we receive on or before March 20, 2017, as well as comments received during previous comment periods for this rule, before making a decision regarding changes to the import rules for Hass avocados from Colombia.
