[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Kim Hyewon] From now on, Korean quarantine officers will be able to export Korean pears to the United States after conducting quarantine inspections independently.
The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency announced on the 29th that the quarantine negotiations with the U.S., which began in 2013 to improve the conditions for exporting Korean pears to the U.S., have recently been concluded.
Previously, only pears that received a passing inspection from U.S. quarantine officers dispatched to Korea from the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service could be exported to the U.S. Since the dispatch period of U.S. quarantine officers is fixed throughout the year, farmers faced difficulties in getting inspections when they wanted.
From now on, pears that pass inspection by the Korean Quarantine Agency can also be exported. The Korean authorities will conduct quarantine inspections year-round, making it easier for farmers to receive approvals. However, to export domestic pears to the U.S., strict export requirements must be followed, including registration of export orchards and packing houses, management of pests and diseases during cultivation, and quarantine inspections by Korean quarantine officers.
The Quarantine Agency plans to revise the "Guidelines for Exporting Fresh Korean Pears to the U.S." by November and prepare follow-up procedures to implement them within this year.
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