The Commodity Credit Corporation said it's accepting proposals by May 28 for its 2014 Quality Samples Program (QSP), which is designed to encourage the development and expansion of export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities by helping U.S. entities provide commodity samples to potential foreign importers. Participants may seek reimbursement from QSP for the sample purchase price and transportation costs.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced changes April 19 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 Commodity Credit Corporation said it's accepting proposals by May 28 for its 2014 Market Access Program (MAP), which is designed to create, expand, and maintain foreign markets for U.S. agricultural commodities and products through cost-share assistance. Under the MAP, the CCC enters into agreements with eligible participants to share the cost of certain overseas marketing and promotion activities. Only non-profit U.S. agricultural trade organizations, nonprofit state regional trade groups, U.S. agricultural cooperatives, and state government agencies can participate directly in the brand program. Funding authority is set to expire at the end of fiscal year 2013, so awards will not be made unless program funding is reauthorized.
The Commodity Credit Corporation said it's accepting proposals by May 28 for its 2014 Emerging Markets Program (EMP), which assists U.S. entities in developing, maintaining, or expanding exports of U.S. agricultural commodities and products by funding activities that improve emerging markets’ food and rural business systems, including reducing potential trade barriers in such markets. All U.S. agricultural commodities, except tobacco, are eligible for consideration. Agricultural products should be comprised of at least 50 percent U.S. origin content by weight to be eligible for funding.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is deregulating seven more pests at the port of entry, after the National Plant Board agreed with its proposals to change their status to non-actionable. The eight deregulated pests include (pests marked by an asterisk are still quarantine pests in Hawaii and/or territories):
On April 18 the Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports:
The Food Safety and Inspection Service revised export requirements and plant lists for the following countries for April 12-18:
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service finalized the addition of 31 plants for planting that are quarantine pests, and 107 plants for planting that are hosts of 13 quarantine pests, to its lists of taxa of plants for planting whose importation is not authorized pending pest risk analysis (NAPPRA). The agency said it made some changes to its July 2011 proposal in response to comments it received, only adding 31 pest hosts instead of the proposed 41 (see 11072813). The changes, which may be viewed (here), are effective May 20.
The Agricultural Marketing Service’s March 12 proposed rule to amend Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) regulations for meat would be even more discriminatory than the current regulation that was struck down by the World Trade Organization, said several commenters on the rule. Both the Canadian and Mexican governments said they intend to retaliate against U.S. exports if the proposal is finalized. Some commenters agreed with the proposal, and said country of origin labeling adds value for U.S. consumers. But others disputed that contention, and said the COOL proposal would instead increase costs for imported meat and for meat processors.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is asking for comments by June 17 on whether it should allow importation of oranges and tangerines from Egypt. Based on a commodity import evaluation on the issue for public comment, the agency thinks certain phytosanitary measures would mitigate any pest risk, it said.