DPA Issues for Apples

DPA Issues for Apples

DPA Issues For Apples. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report.

DPA or diphenylamine helps prevent scald on apples to keep them from turning brown or black and while that is a good thing and keeps apples fresher when they come out of cold storage. But not everyone sees it quite that way. The Ag Networks Lacy Gray has more on the use of DPA.

GRAY: Back in 2012, the European Commission banned the use of DPA on apples and other fruit even though the U.S. government says it is safe. The decision has affected the export of apples from not only the U.S. but some 28 other EU nations that grow and export fruit. Back in March, the commission also put into effect strict new DPA residue limits on imported apples, effectively blocking anything from the U.S. other than organic apples. The Obama Administration has been in talks with the EU over this and other issues and another round of talks is scheduled for next Monday. U.S. growers are convinced that the use of DPA is safe and good for apples and want to see these markets reopened as soon as possible. Of course there are those critics that say more testing is needed on the product before this could happen. The Environmental Working Group has been advocating the ban of DPA until results of a new study have been completed.

Thanks Lacy. Nine senators, including Democrat Maria Cantwell of Washington state and Republican Mike Crapo of Idaho, sent a letter last November to U.S. Trade Representative Mike Froman, complaining that apple and pear exports to Europe already had declined by 73 percent during the past five years.

That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.

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