As a result of Lobesia Botrana being detected in blueberries during checking and inspection in the O’Higgins and Maule regions, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established emergency measures for shipments of the fruit, which include fumigation with methyl bromide at field temperature at the point of origin. In addition, inspection of the product at destination will also be increased.
Fumigation will be made mandatory from today for shipments from the O’Higgins, Maule and Bio-Bio Regions.
The Agriculture and Livestock Service (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero – SAG) reported on the situation and has been in permanent contact with the competent authority in United States in order to clarify the scale of the findings and to agree the measures that are most suitable and proportional to the potential risk of this pest to the US market.
The Agriculture Minister, Luis Mayol, in permanent coordination with the Chilean ambassador to the United States and the highest authorities in the President’s Office and the Foreign Affairs Ministry, has presided over various actions with the competent health authorities in the USA in order to find a solution rapidly.
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