Download United States Of America Fresh Onion (Allium Cepa) Pathway Asssessment Travel Report - 4 August 2014 - 8 August 2014

The purpose of this visit was to assess the fresh onion (Allium cepa) export pathway in the USA production areas of the Central Valley of California and the Willamette Valley of Oregon, to gather pathway pest risk management information. The assessment was to include discussions with USDA officials and technical experts how the risk of Delia antiqua, Pantoea ananatis (and its vectoring arthropod Frankliniella fusca) are managed on the fresh onion export pathway. D. antiqua is known to be associated with fresh onion production in the USA, but has not been detected on the import pathways. Therefore, it was MPI’s objective to understand how these regulated pests of concern are being managed effectively.
The aspects of the pathway assessment of relevance to MPI officials included observation of:
◾Pre-export phytosanitary procedures in relation to productions sites, packhouses, storage facilities and any associated treatment facilities;
◾Onion harvest, packing, grading and quality inspection processes;
◾Traceability and phytosanitary security activities;
◾USDA/APHIS phytosanitary inspection and certification procedures