US lifts ban on exports of fruit, vegetables from most regions

Santo Domingo.- The United States Animal and Plant Health InspectionService (APHIS) has lifted the ban on exports of fruit and vegetables from SantoDomingo province and the National District that host the Mediterranean fruit fly,the Agriculture Ministry announced Thursday.

United States Department of Agriculture deputyadministrator of phytosanitary issues, Osama el-Lissy, posted the information, containedin federal order number DA-2016-51 issuing 10 August 2016,.

"APHIS evaluated the production practices and reportsreading traps and activities of the eradication program implemented by theMinistry of Agriculture, and determined that the provinces of Santo Domingo andthe National District, can be added to the list of provinces from where they canexport products to the United States that host the Mediterranean Fly,” the US officialsaid.

The APHIS adds that there has never been captures in SantoDomingo province and only one in the National District in the first week of May2015.

The Agriculture Ministry added that there are currently nearly200 hectares of exportable fruits and vegetables in Santo Domingo and the NationalDistrict, especially papayas and peppers.

Ban still in effect in the East

The ban however, is still in effect for La Altagracia, LaRomana, El Seibo, Hato Mayor, San Pedro and Monte Plata, the eastern provinces wherethe outbreak first occurred.