The Food Safety and Inspection Service reports that the Regional Committee on Europe is requesting comments by July 20, 2012, on the proposed regional standard for the fresh fungus chanterelle. Details follow:
The Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is requesting comments by June 11, 2012, on its proposed rule that would revise the U.S. Standards for Wheat under the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA) to (i) change the definition of Contrasting classes (CCL) in Hard White wheat and (ii) change the grade limits for shrunken and broken kernels (SHBN).
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued emails April 11, 2012, announcing changes to some 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 Food Safety and Inspection Service said the Regional Committee on North America & South West Pacific (CCNASWP) is requesting comments by June 22, 2012, on national food control systems, consumer participation in food standards setting, and the use of Codex standards at the national level. Details follow:
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued emails April 9, 2012, announcing changes to some 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 Foreign Agriculture Service reports that private exporters reported to the U.S. Department of Agriculture export sales of 165,000 metric tons of soybeans to China during the 2012/2013 marketing year. The marketing year for soybeans began September 1.
The Farm Service Agency issued a notice specifying the fee schedule, effective April 4, 2012, for the new Export Food Aid Commodities (EFAC) licensing agreement offered by the FSA under the U.S. Warehouse Act (USWA). Agricultural products that may be stored under an EFAC licensing agreement include, but are not limited to, corn soy blend, vegetable oil, and pulses such as peas, beans, and lentils.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service reports that the 6th session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food met on March 26-30 in the Netherlands, and the 27th Session of the Codex Committee on General Principles met on April 2-6 in France. The Committees discussed risk analysis principles on contaminants in animal feed, and a discussion on why standards are held at Step 8 rather than adopted. Details of the meetings follow: