USDA’s Operational Experience in the Growing Use of Irradiation as a Plant Quarantine Treatment

AlanAlan GreenGreen Executive Director USDA, APHIS, PPQ Riverdale, MD, USA IrradiationIrradiation asas aa CommodityCommodity TreatmentTreatment

Background: • Over 60 countries using food irradiation • irradiating fruit and vegetables since 1995 • Increased interest to find Methyl Bromide alternative IrradiationIrradiation asas aa CommodityCommodity TreatmentTreatment

International Standard :  Endorsed by International Standards: – International Plant Protection Convention (ISPM 18) USDA Regulations :  October 23, 2002: Overall requirements for irradiation as a quarantine treatment (Closely followed ISPM 18)  January 27, 2006: Establishes generic doses for and specifically for fruit flies ObjectiveObjective ofof IrradiationIrradiation

• Prevent establishment of pests

 Mortality is NOT necessary

 Preventing reproduction or completion of life cycle IS necessary USDA Rule and ISPM 18 Require:

• Establish dose to neutralize pest • Ensure minimum dose is delivered • Establish safeguards to identify treated product and prevent infestation Why Irradiation was different

 Manages a very wide range of pests  Objective of treatment is not death of pest  Concerns about consumer acceptance ApprovedApproved dosesdoses -- ApprovedApproved forfor pestpest speciesspecies

Pest _ Common name Dose ( Gy ) Bactrocera dorsalis Oriental FF 250 Ceratitis capitata Mediterranean FF 225 B. cucurbitae Melon fly 210 Anastrepha fraterculus South American FF 150 A. suspensa Caribbean FF 150 A. ludens Mexican FF 150 A. obliqua West Indian FF 150 A. serpentina Sapote FF 150 B. tryoni Queensland FF 150 B. jarvisi (no common name) 150 B. latifrons Malaysian FF 150 Sternochetus mangiferae Mango seed weevil 300 Specific Dosages Established

Scientific name Common name Dose (Gy)

 Brevipalpus chilensis False red spider mite 300  Cydia pomonella Codling 200  illepida Koa seedworm 250  Cryptophlebia ombrodelta Litchi fruit moth 250  Grapholita molesta Oriental fruit moth 200  Conotrachelus nenuphar Plum curculio 92  Cylas formicarius elegantulus Sweetpotato weevil 165  Rhagoletis pomonella Apple maggot 60  Coccus viridis Green scale 400 Regulation January 27, 2006

Establishes a generic minimum dose of 400 Gray for all insects (other than adult and pupae) New Regulation January 27, 2006

 Establishes a generic minimum dose of 150 gray for all fruit flies of the Family Tephritidae (Ceratitis , Bactrocera , Anastrepha , Rhagoletis , etc.) Regulation January 27, 2006

Does NOT include: • Mites • Mollusks • Nematodes • Plant pathogens Other Agreements Required by USDA Rule

• Irradiation treatment framework equivalency work plan • Fundamental requirements to allow irradiation • Provides for reciprocal trade in irradiated products Other Agreements Required by USDA Rule

• Operational (preclearance) work plan • Field pest risk mitigations (good agricultural practices) • Preclearance inspection procedures • Dosimetry systems • Treatment verification process • Post treatment safeguarding • Product labeling APHIS Irradiation Regulations

400 Gray treatment for the following:  March 12, 2007: Indian Mango  June 21, 2007: Litchi, , , Mangosteen, Mango, and Pineapple from  August 1, 2008: Dragonfruit from  Proposed 2008: Guava from Mexico. Mango and at 150 Gray Current Programs

 Thailand (two facilities): Litchi, longon, rambutan, mango, mangosteen, pineapple  (second facility in 2009): Mango  Vietnam (second facility in 2009): Dragon fruit. Litchi, longon, and rambutan in 2009  Mexico (second facility in 2009): Guava, mango, (citrus) 2007/2008 Shipping Seasons

 India and Thailand have shipped successfully for two season  Fruit was successfully treated, transported, and sold  No issues of consumer concerns  Allowed imports of fruit, otherwise prohibited  Excellent fruit quality Obstacles and Challenges

 Program oversight costs  Research and Methods Development needs  Involvement of National Plant Protection Organization  Single export association  In-country logistics  Treatment verification Delivery and Verification of Dose

 Dose mapping – National Institute of Standards and Technology – Facility dosimeters  Treatment dosimetry – Irradiation Reporting and Accountability Database (IRADS) Areas For Attention Cost of Program

 Increased costs of air freight  Logistics of treatment not completely planned  High level of USDA oversight  “Economy of scale” – Diversity of commodities – Throughput Research and Methods Development

 Fruit/Variety tolerance  Ideal stages of harvest ripeness  Storage and transportation temperature, humidity, and atmosphere conditions  Maritime and overland transportation  Generic doses for mites and classes of insects Areas for Attention: USDA Preclearance Oversight

 Initially present for all treatments and inspections  US Statute mandates full cost recovery  Verification of all treatments  Regulatory inspections at each facility (Thailand) Areas for Attention: Operational Logistics

 Orchards at great distance from irradiators  Centralize inspection stations serving multiple irradiators  Changing of packaging required repeated dose mapping  Good agricultural practices  Facility engineering Changes To Consider Reduce Oversight Costs

 Use of “Foreign Service Nationals” or national plant protection organization of exporting country  Accredit local entities to perform dose mapping Potential New Exports

 Otherwise prohibited commodities – Tropical fruit  Substitute irradiation for existing treatments – Mexican citrus and mango  Irradiators at US ports of embarkation or US-Mexico Border  Potential US exports – Stone fruit – Pome fruit