§ 319.56-2y - Conditions governing the entry of melon and watermelon from certain countries in South America.

(a) Cantaloupe and watermelon from Ecuador. Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) and watermelon (fruit) (Citrullus lanatus) may be imported into the United States from Ecuador only in accordance with this paragraph and all other applicable requirements of this subpart:

(1) The cantaloupe or watermelon may be imported in commercial shipments only.

(2) The cantaloupe or watermelon must have been grown in an area where trapping for the South American cucurbit fly (Anastrepha grandis) has been conducted for at least the previous 12 months by the national plant protection organization (NPPO) of Ecuador, under the direction of APHIS, with no findings of the pest.7

(3) The following area meets the requirements of paragraph (a)(2) of this section: The area within 5 kilometers of either side of the following roads:

(i) Beginning in Guayaquil, the road north through Nobol, Palestina, and Balzar to Velasco-Ibarra (Empalme);

(ii) Beginning in Guayaquil, the road south through E1 26, Puerto Inca, Naranjal, and Camilo Ponce to Enriquez;

(iii) Beginning in Guayaquil, the road east through Palestina to Vinces;

(iv) Beginning in Guayaquil, the road west through Piedrahita (Novol) to Pedro Carbo; or

(v) Beginning in Guayaquil, the road west through Progreso, Engunga, Tugaduaja, and Zapotal to El Azucar.

(4) The cantaloupe or watermelon may not be moved into Alabama, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The boxes in which the cantaloupe or watermelon is packed must be stamped with the name of the commodity followed by the words “Not to be distributed in the following States or territories: AL, AS, AZ, CA, FL, GA, GU, HI, LA, MS, NM, PR, SC, TX, VI”.

(b) Cantaloupe, honeydew melons, and watermelon from Brazil. Cantaloupe, honeydew melons, and watermelon may be imported into the United States from Brazil only in accordance with this paragraph and all other applicable requirements of this subpart:

(1) The cantaloupe, honeydew melons, or watermelon must have been grown in the area of Brazil considered by APHIS to be free of the South American cucurbit fly in accordance with § 319.56-2(e)(4) of this subpart.

(i) The following area in Brazil is considered free of the South American cucurbit fly: That portion of Brazil bounded on the north by the Atlantic Ocean; on the east by the River Assu (Acu) from the Atlantic Ocean to the city of Assu; on the south by Highway BR 304 from the city of Assu (Acu) to Mossoro, and by Farm Road RN-015 from Mossoro to the Ceara State line; and on the west by the Ceara State line to the Atlantic Ocean.

(ii) All shipments of cantaloupe, honeydew melons, and watermelon must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO of Brazil that includes a declaration indicating that the fruit was grown in an area recognized to be free of the South American cucurbit fly.

(2) The cantaloupe, honeydew melons, and watermelon must be packed in an enclosed container or vehicle, or must be covered by a pest-proof screen or plastic tarpaulin while in transit to the United States.

(3) All shipments of cantaloupe, honeydew melons, and watermelon must be labeled in accordance with § 319.56-2(g) of this subpart.

(c) Cantaloupe, honeydew melons, and watermelon from Venezuela. Cantaloupe, honeydew melons, and watermelon may be imported into the United States from Venezuela only in accordance with this paragraph and all other applicable requirements of this subpart:

(1) The cantaloupe, honeydew melons, or watermelon must have been grown in the area of Venezuela considered by APHIS to be free of the South American cucurbit fly in accordance with § 319.56-2(e)(4) of this subpart.

(i) The following area in Venezuela is considered free of the South American cucurbit fly: The Paraguana Peninsula, located in the State of Falcon, bounded on the north and east by the Caribbean Ocean, on the south by the Gulf of Coro and an imaginary line dividing the autonomous districts of Falcon and Miranda, and on the west by the Gulf of Venezuela.

(ii) All shipments of cantaloupe, honeydew melons, and watermelon must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO of Venezuela that includes a declaration indicating that the fruit was grown in an area recognized to be free of the South American cucurbit fly.

(2) The cantaloupe, honeydew melons, and watermelon must be packed in an enclosed container or vehicle, or must be covered by a pest-proof screen or plastic tarpaulin while in transit to the United States.

(3) All shipments of cantaloupe, honeydew melons, and watermelon must be labeled in accordance with § 319.56-2(g) of this subpart.

(d) Cantaloupe, netted melon, vegetable melon, winter melon, and watermelon from Peru. Cantaloupe, netted melon, vegetable melon, and winter melon (Cucumis melo L. subsp. melo); and watermelon may be imported into the United States from Peru only in accordance with this paragraph and all other applicable requirements of this subpart:

(1) The fruit may be imported in commercial shipments only.

(2) The fruit must have been grown in the area of Peru considered by APHIS to be free of the South American cucurbit fly in accordance with § 319.56-2(e)(4) of this subpart.

(i) The Departments of Lima, Ica, Arequipa, Moquegua, and Tacna in Peru are considered free of the South American cucurbit fly.

(ii) All shipments must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO of Peru that includes a declaration indicating that the fruit was grown in an area recognized to be free of the South American cucurbit fly, and upon inspection, was found free of the gray pineapple mealybug (Dysmicoccus neobrevipes).

(3) The fruit must be packed in an enclosed container or vehicle, or must be covered by a pest-proof screen or plastic tarpaulin while in transit to the United States.

(4) All shipments of fruit must be labeled in accordance with § 319.56-2(g) of this subpart, and the boxes in which the fruit is packed must be labeled “Not for distribution in HI, PR, VI, or Guam.”

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0579-0236)