USDA's Operational Experience in the Growing Use of Irradiation As A

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 • Hawaii 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 insects 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 moth 200 Cryptophlebia 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 Lepidoptera 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, Longan, Rambutan, Mangosteen, Mango, and Pineapple from Thailand August 1, 2008: Dragonfruit from Vietnam Proposed 2008: Guava from Mexico. Mango and citrus at 150 Gray Current Programs Thailand (two facilities): Litchi, longon, rambutan, mango, mangosteen, pineapple India (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.

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