Comment from Albert Perez, Continental Fresh LLC

RE: Docket No APHIS-2008-0126 We are writing in support of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposed rule Docket No. APHIS-2008-0126 to allow for the importation of Hass avocados from Peru under a “systems approach.” Our company, Continental Fresh LLC, would benefit strongly from the sales and marketing of such fruits and retailers and consumers would benefit by having these great products to offer during a window where they are not readily available locally. We currently market avocados form California, Mexico and Chile. As an importer of Hass avocados from Mexico we congratulate APHIS for proposing the same “systems approach” that is currently using to allow for the importation of Mexican Hass avocados for the importation of Peruvian Hass avocados. APHIS now has more than 12 years of hard scientific data that has showed that this is the right scientific approach. In 2008 the U.S. consumed 1 billion pounds of Hass avocados and in 2009 the U.S. is expecting to consume over 1.2 billon pounds of Hass avocados making it necessary for consumers to have other sources for Hass avocados. It is also worth noting that the proposed rule is complementary since it will allow Peru to export its excellent Hass avocados during the spring and summer months – a period when consumption of Hass avocados is at its peek in the U.S. We urge APHIS to adopt this proposed rule as soon as possible in order for Peru to be able to export their excellent Hass avocados by this spring. Thank you and best regards. Albert Perez President and CEO Continental Fresh LLC