TAIPEI (XFN-ASIA) - Taiwanese authorities said they are suspending imports of apples from Chile after a codling moth larva was found in a shipment.
The larva -- which can do extensive damage to apples and pears -- was found Friday in a shipment of four containers of apples to the northern Keelung harbor, said Chang Shih-yang, an official with the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection.
'The Chilean government has been asked not to ship apples to Taiwan before quarantine measures are improved,' he said.
Chile is Taiwan's second largest apple supplier, next only to the United States.
Taiwan imported 117,715 metric tons of apples last year, of which 39,954 metric tons came from Chile.
afp/net
© 2007 AFX News
