MANILA, Philippines - The Australian government will now accept fresh mango from the area of Davao del Sur.
In a report submitted to Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, Bureau of Plant Industry Director Clarito M.Baron said a Biosecurity Australia advisory dated Aug. 13, 2010 announced “the extension of existing policy for the importation of fresh mango fruits from the Philippines and inclusion of other additional growing area of Davao del Sur in Mindanao.”
Baron said Australia has an existing policy for the importation of grouch mango fruit from the Philippines, but only from Guimaras Island.
The Philippines had requested the inclusion of Davao del Sur as an additional growing area.
The BPI head said Biosecurity Australia has prepared a report drawing upon existing policies for fresh mango fruits from India, Haiti, Mexico, the Philippines (principally Guimaras Island in the Visayas) and Taiwan taking also into considerations the pests.
The decision to allow the entry of Philippine mangoes from Davao del Sur, according to Baron, is the product of long term cleanliness policy and quarantine practices the BPI is implementing, coupled with stringent crop management measure, in Davao del Sur.