Canadian Fruits and Veggies Now Need Inspection

On March 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's new Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (Aphis) rules take effect. The rules will eliminate the exemption from inspections for fruits and vegetables imported from Canada, and implement a $70.25 inspection fee for aircraft (including on-demand charter flights) entering the U.S. from Canada. There will also be a $5-per-passenger fee. Aphis justifies the rules as required "to prevent the introduction of plant pests and animal diseases into the U.S. via conventional pathways or through bio-terrorism, and to recover the cost of the needed inspections."