In the April, 15 2016, Federal Register, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service ("APHIS") announced it was reopening the comment period for a proposed rule that would amend the regulations to allow for importation of fresh apple and pear fruit from certain countries in the European Union into the continental United States, provided that the fruit is produced in accordance with a systems approach. This rule would provide an alternative to importation under the current preclearance program. Comments are due May 5, 2016.

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