Sterilization of imported Vinifera grapes by refrigeration

UNITED STATi'S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine
Washington, D. C.

LIBRARY
STATE PLANT BOARD
BEPQ-417

STERILIZATION OF IMUPOPTEI.' VJiFERA GAPES BY REFRIGERATION

(Approved and effective November 9, 1936.)

The method of sterilization herein authorized supersedes -Ind
cancels the treatment authorized in BPQ-?62 and its supplements.

Recent experimental work by the Bureau of Entomology and Plant
Quarantine of the United States Department of Agriculture has proven
that all stages of the Moditerranean fruit fly in fruit will be des-
troyed if the fruit is subject,-d to the following tr-atme-nt:

"Cooling until the approximate center of the fruit in the
package reaches a temperature of 340 F. and holding the
fruit at or below tha't tEmperature for a period of 12 days."

On the basis of the evidence secured provision is m.-de for the
entry, under permit and ste-rilization, of grapes of the Vinifcra type
from regions in which the ,eloditerranean fruit fly ours, at the port
of New York and such other northern ports as may be subsequently ap-
proved, under the following conditions:

(1) The grapes must be packed in tight barrels or kegs
or other approved containers so constructed as to prevent th.-
escape from the container pending stc.rilization, of any stages
of the Tediterranea-i fruit fly, should they be present. Any
broken containers whcraver found must be immediately repckd
under the supervision of an inspector of the Burr ::u of
Entomology and Plant Quarantine or the contents shall be
immediately destroyed in a manner satisfactory tc the inspector.

(2) VJithin twenty-four hours from the time cf unl.Iding,
the grapes shall be delivered for treatment to an approved
sterilization p.lant.

To provide necessary safeguards for movement to and
handling at approved sterilization plants, those concerns
designated to sterilize fruit are required to file an -
tion and complete a written agreement with the Eurcau of
Entomology and Plant Quarantine. The Bureau will a:-pr-ve .-nly
those plants which are adequately equipped to handle cand
sterilize the fruit.


Sterilization will be done under the cuaoervisin -f




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plan.t quarantine, inspectors of the Bureau of Entomology end
Plant Quarantine. These inspectors shall at all times be given
SCccCs to fruit while in process of sterilization. They will
supervise the movement of the fruit from the docks to and from
thl sterilization rooms.

Shipments offered for entry may be allowed to leave
customs custody under redelivery bond for sterilization. Final
rclt-Lsu of the shipment by the Collector of Customs eand can-
cellation cf the bond iill be effected after the inspector of
the Bureau of Entomology and Plant Qu-rantine has notified the
Collector of Customs that the required treatment ha.s been given.

(3) F,..r the purpose of additional safeguards and to
eliminate possible risk that might be occasioned by breakage of
containers, the entry of grapes is liUited to the period from
October 1 to April 15, when susceptible fruits will not be
availablee for oviposition by fruit flies should any escape
prior to the containers being placed in the approved steriliza-
tion chambers.
In .uthcrizing the entry of fruit into the United States, sterilized
in accordance with the above requirements, it should be emphasized that
inexactness und carelessness in applying the treatment may result in
injury to-j the fruit, but, in event of resulting injury, neither the Depart-
mcnt of Agriculture nor its employees will be responsible.





Lee A. Strong,
Chief, Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine.