11/22/05 Strike two for our apples in Taiwan

11/22/05 Strike two for our apples in Taiwan

Taiwan's Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine Service last week notified their counterpart agency in the U.S. that a coddling moth larva was found in a shipment of Washington apples. This second "strike" comes on the heels of a similar discovery in a shipment of apples last month. The strike refers to Taiwan's three strike policy against coddling moth. And one more discovery of full grown moths or larvae in U.S. apple shipments this season means immediate suspension of imports of our apples. In the meantime, Taiwanese officials will conduct more stringent inspections on U.S. apples upon arrival in that country. And officials with various U.S. apple industry organizations are urging packers to carefully evaluate apple lots for coddling moth damage and be extremely cautious when selecting lots for export to Taiwan. Mike Willett of the Northwest Horticultural Council says the red flags are needed because given past closures of Taiwan due to coddling moth concerns; it will be extremely difficult for U.S. officials to reopen that market. WILLETT: We're working hard trying to get the three strikes penalties changed. But that is not going to happen overnight. It revolves working through our own government and giving them the scientific arguments that are necessary to convince the Taiwanese that any risk of establishment could be mitigated without such a strict penalty structure. WILLETT: In addition to putting these new safeguards in place that we've put in to both this year and last year is we want to eliminate the three strike penalty matrix because we don't think it's justifiable given the relative risk of coddling moth to Taiwan.
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