WAC 16-488-025   Blueberry quarantine exemptions.  Fresh fruit of blueberry may be moved or shipped from quarantined areas into Washington state under the following conditions:

     (1) No restrictions are placed by this section on the entry into this state of fruits which upon arrival are frozen solid and which are under refrigeration to assure their solid frozen state.

     (2) Commodities covered which are held in cold storage for a continuous period of forty days or more, during which period the temperature within the storage room is maintained at thirty-two degrees fahrenheit or less, may be admitted: Provided, That a lot or shipment is accompanied by a certificate issued by an official governmental agency from the state of origin evidencing compliance with the minimum requirements of this section.

     (3) Each shipment of blueberries that have been fumigated with methylbromide at atmospheric pressure by one of the following schedules may be permitted entry into Washington state: Provided, That residues on fresh fruit of blueberries do not exceed the Federal Food and Drug Administration's allowable tolerances.

     32 g/m³ (2 lbs./1,000 ft.³) for 2 hours at 27.7°C (82°F) or above; or

     32 g/m³ (2 lbs./1,000 ft.³) for 2 1/2 hours at 22.2°C - 27.2°C (72°F-81°F); or

     32 g/m³ (2 lbs./1,000 ft.³) for 3 hours at 16.6°C - 21.6°C (62°F-71°F); or

     32 g/m³ (2 lbs./1,000 ft.³) for 3 1/2 hours at 10°C - 16.1°C (50°F-61°F).

     (a) The fumigation shall be done by applicators who are registered or certified in fumigation pest control in the state of origin;

     (b) Each fumigation shall be monitored and supervised by an authorized representative of the origin state department of agriculture;

     (c) Each shipment of blueberries shall be accompanied by a phyto-sanitary certificate issued by an authorized representative of the origin state department of agriculture evidencing compliance with the fumigation requirements. The certificate shall state the number of cartons in the shipment and the name and address of the consignee. In addition, a copy of the phyto-sanitary certificate and the estimated date of arrival shall be sent, by mail or electronically, to the Washington state department of agriculture, plant services division, prior to the shipment of the blueberries; and

     (d) All shipping containers (flats) shall be stamped or tagged indicating the fresh fruit of blueberries have undergone fumigation.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 17.24 RCW. 90-12-123 (Order 2040), § 16-488-025, filed 6/6/90, effective 7/7/90; 88-17-014 (Order 1985), § 16-488-025, filed 8/9/88; 86-19-002 (Order 1906), § 16-488-025, filed 9/5/86; Order 1327, § 16-488-025, filed 10/10/73.]