USApple Actively Opposes Release Of Pest List to China
January 19, 2011 USApple is stepping up efforts to oppose an active process to eventually allow U.S. market access for Chinese apples. It started with a list the Obama Administration gave to China of agreed upon plant pests and diseases found on Chinese apples, over 60 of which are not present in the U.S. The announcement came recently during bilateral U.S.-China agricultural talks.
In a recent newsletter, USApple said it actively opposed release of the list, citing China’s poor compliance history in keeping invasive pests out of the U.S., and its lack of government resources to ensure proper oversight.
Representatives from the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the United States Trade Representative (USTR) told USApple and major apple state Congressional offices of its plans on November 12. That notice was made at a briefing for Congressional staff in response to a letter from 31 House and Senate members to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The bipartisan letter voiced strong concerns with regard to the dangers which could be brought in with Chinese apples.
“Given China’s extremely poor track record of preventing the export of exotic insects and plant diseases into other countries,” said the members of Congress in their letter, “and its ability to supply large amounts apples to the U.S. at prices below the cost of production, any decisions with respect to allowing fresh Chinese apples into the U.S. must be deliberate and cautious.” The members further requested an opportunity to meet with USDA and communicate concerns from their local growers.
USApple has consistently opposed provision of the pest list since unanswered questions remain about the threat of Chinese invasive pests and diseases, particularly as American apple growers (and other producers) are now dealing with the impact of the Asian-born brown marmorated stink bug. There are also concerns with China’s poor compliance history with APHIS agreements and the lack of government resources to properly enforce them.
In a letter to Agricultural Secretary Vilsack, USApple President and CEO Nancy Foster stated the association’s position, “APHIS has identified numerous pests and plant diseases present in Chinese apple production that do not exist in the United States. Under no circumstances should these pest and disease threats be allowed to enter this country and jeopardize U.S. apple production or marketing and thus USApple opposes the release of the pest list.”
Foster also requested greater apple varietal access to China. “We recommend that, as feasible, APHIS pursue opportunities to gain market access for additional U.S. apple varieties. China allows a range of varieties from other countries and the U.S. produces varieties sought by Chinese consumers.”
Currently, only Red Delicious and Golden Delicious apples from the U.S. have access to China.
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