The Agricultural Marketing Service requests comments on five draft guidance documents by the National Organic Program (NOP) intended for use by accredited certifying agents and certified operations: (1) Compost and Vermicompost in Organic Crop Production (NOP 5021); (2) Wild Crop Harvesting (NOP 5022); (3) Outdoor Access for Organic Poultry (NOP 5024); (4) Commingling and Contamination Prevention in Organic Production and Handling (NOP 5025); and (5) The Use of Chlorine Materials in Organic Production and Handling (NOP 5026). Comments are due by December 13, 2010.
The Environmental Protection Agency and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are announcing a public hearing on October 14, 2010 in Chicago to receive public comment on proposed fuel economy label design options and related issues. EPA states that the goal of the new fuel economy labels is to provide consumers with simple, straightforward energy and environmental comparisons across all types of vehicles, including electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and conventional gasoline-powered vehicles.
On October 7, 2010, APHIS updated the Manual for Agricultural Clearance. The manual provides CBP personnel working at airport and maritime locations with the guidelines, directions, and policy for clearing carriers and passengers/crew and controlling garbage and cargo.
On October 12, 2010, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Animal Product Manual. This Manual provides the background, procedures, and regulatory actions to enforce the regulations governing the import and export of animals, animal products, and animal by-products.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued the draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at an October 13, 2010 stakeholders meeting regarding certain activities of the Codex1 Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU).
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau is issuing a technical correction to its April 2010 ruling (2010-3), which authorized hexane (mixed isomers), n-hexane, cyclohexane, heptane, potassium hydroxide, distilled lime oil (Citrus aurantifolia), lemon oil (Citrus limonium), and cornmint oil (Mentha arvensis and Mentha canadensis) as substitute denaturants. TTB is now specifying exact amounts of denaturants for use in specially denatured alcohol (SDA) rather than minimum amounts of denaturants to ensure TTB’s ability to verify compliance with the regulations, and to maintain a clear distinction between SDA and articles produced using SDA. (See ITT's Online Archives or 05/06/10 news, 10050629, for BP summary of the original ruling.)
Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
On October 12, 2010, APHIS updated its Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Import PPQ Manual. The manual lists by country fruits and vegetables that are admissible into the United States. It includes a description of methods for sampling and inspecting selected fruits and vegetables. It also contains pictorial identification guides, and a glossary for common and scientific names of fruits and vegetables.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have a issued a joint notice on a National Program under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to improve fuel efficiency and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of light-duty vehicles for model years 2017-2025.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the importation into the continental U.S. of fresh strawberries from Jordan. Based on this analysis, APHIS believes that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds. Comments are due by December 13, 2010.