30704: Minsky: (news) US Ag Dept blocks Haitian mangoes (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Tequila Minsky <tminsky@ix.netcom.com>

Hardbeatnews, WASHINGTON, D.C., Fri. July 6, 2007: Te U.S. Department
of Agriculture suspended the certification of all Haitian mango exports
this week, after fruit flies were found in crates of the fruit sent
here.
 
Some 50 containers of the mangoes were returned after ‘Drosophila
melanogaster’ or the two-winged insect was found in crates on June 25
and on Monday, July 2.
 
The USDA subsequently suspended Haiti’s mango exporting license saying
it was giving agents in Haiti time to review treatment and packaging
procedures, Reuters reports indicate. The licenses will not be
reinstated until
USDA experts being sent to Haiti gives the greenlight.
 
Haiti's agriculture secretary, Joanas Gue, was quoted by the news
agency as saying the block “…will badly hurt our exporting companies."
 
The mangoes are sold in many supermarkets across the US for an average
of US$1.50 each. – Hardbeatnews.com
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a note  from a friend whose sister lives in Haiti: