Costs and Benefits of Irradiation Versus Methyl Bromide Fumigation for Disinfestation of U.S. Fruit and Vegetable Imports

For plant products considered potential conveyors of exotic pests, methyl bromide (MB) fumigation is the principal method of import quarantine treatment approved in the United States. Its use is to be phased out. Irradiation is an alternative for disinfestation of certain fruits and vegetable imports. Its _high average unit treatment costs could be moderated if treatment could be concentrated at a few ports of entry, capturing economies of size. The economic gains from trade of using irradiation, if other treatment is not possible, would greatly exceed the economic costs due to a change from MB fumigation to irradiation.