HAITIAN MANGOES GOING TO THE FLIES

[Haitianone]

Here is a sad article about Haitian Mangoes
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Fruit flies prompt US to block Haiti mango exports
05 Jul 2007 22:32:07 GMT
Source: Reuters
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Background
Haiti troubles
More By Joseph Guyler Delva

PORT-AU-PRINCE, July 5 (Reuters) - The United States halted mango imports from Haiti and returned 50 shipping containers of the tropical fruit to Haitian exporters after discovering fruit flies in crates sent from the Caribbean nation, officials from both governments said on Thursday.

Haiti's agriculture secretary, Joanas Gue, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture suspended the certification of all Haitian mango exporting companies to allow its agents time to review treatment and packaging procedures.

"The USDA has blocked exports of our mango which is one of our leading and most appreciated exporting products," Gue told Reuters on Thursday. "This will badly hurt our exporting companies."

Haiti ships several million dollars worth of the tropical fruit to the United States each year.

U.S. agents discovered fruit flies and their larvae on June 25 and on Monday in shipments of mangoes from three facilities in Haiti, where mangoes are supposed to be washed with hot water to ensure fruit flies are killed.

"We suspended the program on July 2, because the failure of the hot water treatment in three different facilities indicates it is a larger problem rather than an isolated event," USDA spokeswoman Melissa O'Dell told Reuters.

She said the USDA was sending experts to Haiti to review treatment and packaging procedures before considering resumption of mango imports.

Haitian officials said the insects came from the United States in an empty shipping container. They said Haitian exporters, who operate under supervision of USDA agents based in Haiti, had fully followed agreed procedures and regulations.

In addition to returning the 50 containers to Haitian exporters, the United States blocked the shipment of more than 40,000 boxes containing at least a dozen mangoes per box.





http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N75380623.htm
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Statehood or Bust

[Haitianone]

If people did not know this but Haitian mangoes the one of Haiti's major export to the US as well in the world. It is highly regarded and gives a ton of jobs to many folks in Haiti. Now that industry may have been destroyed or collapsed because the USDA claims it found Fruit Flies. I find this bizarre because the USDA have on site people looking at these mangoes in Haiti before being shipped!!!!!


So our #1 export will now be destroyed and worst yet so Kompa is left and unfortunately if they look closer at that industry large skyscraper flies will be found!!!!!
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Statehood or Bust

[Melokompa]

This is bad news for our economy, I hope this problem resolve as quickly as possible. I'm very suspicious about this new revelation about Fruit flies they've found, honestly what's the big deal, i've seen flies in all produce products such as onions. That is conpiracy to sabotage our export, Kite Peyi VIV blan.
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Magnum Band: La Seule Difference

[Machiavel]

That is sad indeed. This is one of the main reasons I enjoy my NY trips. in the summer time. Enfin!

[FANMKONESE]

wow.......sad news........Maybe this could be behind the recent price increase.......I usualy buy my mangos by the box.....and last week the dude was charging me 12 dollars for the box....et se 9 mwen kon paye......comme d'habitude....
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[jeanVALjean]

TTTCCCHHHIIIUUUPPP!!!
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Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
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[Haitianone]

Fanm

You may not be seeing mangos from Haiti for a long while. I do not know when they will reverse this decision. If this true, I would fire the head of government agency who manages the governance of the mangos and if this is not true, the Haitian government should issue a stern response and complaint to American officials. This is quite damaging indeed!
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Statehood or Bust

[MusiQ]

Haitians living abroad are homesick of the island and so stay connected to it through arts and foods. Mango export has just experienced a rude awakening. Coffee use to be one of our major exporting goods way back and the Agriculture Department did nothing to save it. It will be nice if they fight hard for mango, but I’ll not hold my breath.

I really doubt that food flies is the major problem in this case. We might have some stiff competition in our tail. As we know, Haiti is not the only country exporting mangoes. They are exported from Asia and other Latin countries as well. Mango “Francique" happen to be a favorite because of its texture and its sweet juice.

It will not surprise me at all if another country have been farming this variety and will be exporting it in the near future. I believe if food flies were a problem they would have discover them long time ago. The mangoes are not ripe when they boxed and shipped them to their destination, there are usually green. Then again Haitian government has nothing in place as far as inspection for produce. Regulation put in place would have helped the shipping facilities as they present passing grade documents from the Haitian government as back up.

With mango in the hot burner, what other exporting goods do we have to recover Haiti’s economy?

[Ti boxer]

[Ti boxer]

The good thing, however, it that it's temporary suspension. I remain hopeful that the export of Haitian mangoes will get back underway.

Ti boxer
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Yes Aya