Ashley Fox MEP
Dorset’s apples and pears may soon be available in the USA after regulatory authorities in Washington published new rules that would allow the product on American shelves.
Welcoming the decision, Ashley Fox MEP said, “It will be of significant benefit to Dorset fruit farmers, many of whom lost a key export market overnight as a result of Russian sanctions imposed in 2014. The eventual opening of the US market will not offset the full impact of the sanctions, but it will certainly help the farming community by at least providing another commercial outlet for their produce.”
Discussions are continuing between the EU and the USA Food and Drug Administration and the EU has said it hopes these talks will be concluded in a few months.
Ashley added, “I would urge all parties not to delay and to get this market fully open by the 2016 harvest in September.”
