KoreaThe California blueberry industry is working with USDA APHIS and other stakeholders to expand market access to Korea for additional U.S. states, beginning with California and Washington State.
As part of this work to improve and expand market access, the CA and U.S. blueberry industry worked with USDA APHIS to seek the removal of unwarranted survey requirements for Sudden Oak Death (SOD) from the Oregon protocol. Korea had been unwilling to consider other state access until this issue was resolved. This was successfully accomplished in late 2021. As a result, the focus of industry efforts is now on market expansion for California and Washington State. As an initial step in this process, fresh blueberry production and pest information for California and Washington State was provided to USDA APHIS in February 2022. This is being reviewed and will be sent to Korea to facilitate Korea’s pest risk assessment. Once this PRA is completed, a market access protocol will be negotiated and finalized. This issue remains a high priority on the U.S.-Korea bilateral agenda. |
|