Tomato & Peppers: Brown Rugose Fruit Virus Certification Requirements

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has imposed restrictions on the imports of tomatoes and peppers from Canada, Mexico, The Netherlands and Israel in hopes of safeguarding the United States against the introduction of the brown rugose fruit virus.  This virus can be spread through the use of contaminated tools, hands, and plant-to-plant contact.

APHIS requires:

  • All tomato and pepper seed lots imported from countries where the virus exists to be officially tested and certified free of the disease.
  • All tomato and pepper transplants imported from countries where the virus exists to be officially tested and certified free of the disease.
  • All tomato and pepper fruit imported from Mexico, Israel, and the Netherlands to be inspected at the point of origin to ensure it is free of disease symptoms.
  • Canada to inspect all tomato and pepper fruit prior to export to the United States to ensure it is free of disease symptoms.

Commercial consignments of fresh tomatoes and peppers from Canada, Mexico, Israel, and the Netherlands must be accompanied by either document listed below:

A phytosanitary certificate issued by the National Plant Protection Organization of the county of origin containing the following additional declaration: “The solanum lycopersicum and/or capsicum spp. Fruit have been inspected and been found to be free of symptoms of tomato brown rugose fruit virus.”

OR

An inspection certification document issued by the grower or repacker with the following language, in lieu of a phytosanitary certificate: “The solanum lycopersicum and/or capsicum spp.  Fruit have been inspected and been found to be free of symptoms of tomato brown rugose fruit virus.”  The inspection certificate must include the date of inspection, the name, title, office and address of the person issuing the inspection certificate, as well as the names and addresses of the grower and packinghouse.

Please contact the U.S. Regulatory team if you have questions at transitionus@willsonintl.com