The Food Safety and Inspection Service revised export requirements and plant lists for the following countries for July 4-11:
On July 11, the Foreign Agricultural Service posted the following GAIN reports:
On July 10, the Foreign Agricultural Service posted the following GAIN reports:
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced changes July 10 to Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) electronic manuals. While some changes are minor, other changes may affect the admissibility of the plant products, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is reopening until Sept. 10 the period for comments on its proposal to overhaul its regulations on imports of plants for planting. APHIS proposed to move plant-specific requirements to the Plants for Planting Manual in its April 25 rule, as well as a reorganization of its prohibited plants lists and a change to procedures for banning and allowing importation. The agency said it would accept comments received between the end of the previous comment period and the beginning of this new one. APHIS will hold a conference call and web presentation on the provisions of the proposed rule on Aug. 14 from 3-5 p.m., it said. Participants are required to register (here).
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service posted its “illustrative list” of plants that are considered “common cultivars” or “common food crops,” and are therefore exempt from Lacey Act requirements. The definitions for the terms were finalized in a July 9 final rule 13070808). APHIS said wild specimens of plants on the list are not subject to the exemptions, and must still meet Lacey Act requirements. The list isn’t exhaustive, only listing examples of plants for which certain parts, derivatives, and products meet the criteria to be “common cultivars” or “common food crops.” Additional examples may be added if APHIS finds that they qualify, the agency said.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will allow imports of fresh citrus fruit from Uruguay, according to a final rule set for publication July 10. To qualify, the imported fruit will have to be produced in accordance with pest control, treatment, and sanitation requirements, and must be imported in commercial consignments. Phytosanitary certificates from the Uruguayan government will also be required. The amended regulations also apply to citrus hybrids and the citrus-related Fortunella genus. The final rule is effective Aug. 9.
On July 8, the Foreign Agricultural Service posted the following GAIN reports:
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced changes July 8 to Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) electronic manuals. While some changes are minor, other changes may affect the admissibility of the plant products, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
On July 5, the Foreign Agricultural Service posted the following GAIN reports: