News

Fresh cherry imports from Ontario banned

The U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has banned imports of fresh cherries from Ontario because of the threat of invasive species.

The ban was announced after the detection of European cherry fruit fly and restrictions on the province will remain until it is eradicated.

APHIS legislative public affairs specialist Yindra Dixon says while not currently found in the U.S., the fruit fly is a serious economic pest for cherry growers in Europe. If uncontrolled, it can cause up to 100 percent losses for growers.  It was first detected in Canada in June of last year.

Michigan is the nation’s largest producer of tart cherries and fourth largest producer of sweet cherries.