Comment from Tara Dugo

The following comment is in response to APHIS’ proposed “Removal of Varietal Restrictions on Apples from Japan” (Docket No. APHIS-2009-0020). The agency’s decision to lift the varietal restriction on apples imported from Japan and The Republic of Korea would be beneficial to consumers. APHIS’ Notice sets forth that, after the publication of their Commodity Import Evaluation Document (CIED), it was clear that “no pests of concern have been reported from the preclearance program in Japan, and no quarantine pests on commercial cargo of Fuji apples have been intercepted, reported, or identified at U.S. ports of entry from 1994 – 2008.” If the primary purpose of 7 CFR 319 is to protect the general public from the introduction of foreign inspects and pests by the importation of the fruit into the United States, it is clear that, after reviewing the CIED, there should be no issue with allowing the importation of all varieties of Japanese and Korean apples, as long as they are subject to the same cold treatment and inspection as set forth in the proposed rule. Additionally, I agree with the agencies determination that allowing all varieties of apples to be imported from Japan and Korea would only have a minimal economic effect on consumers. The agency has determined that apples imported from Japan make up only 0.1% of the apples imported into the United States in 2008. Moreover, the agency indicated that due to the wide price differential between apples imported from Japan and those domestically grown, there would not be a substantial decrease on the number of domestically grown apples being sold. The importation all varieties of apples from Japan and Korea that have been cold treated and inspected would safely provide consumers with more of a variety, while not significantly impacting the market.