The Codex Secretariat issued a Circular Letter (CL 2012/24-CAC) requesting comments and information by Feb. 28, 2013, on gaps in the safety and quality provisions of Codex texts to justify new work on a standard for processed cheese, said the Food Safety and Inspection Service. The 2012 Codex Commission agreed to discontinue work on a standard, but in response to concerns raised by some countries, agreed to seek input on gaps that Codex would need to address. Interested parties in the U.S. should submit their comments to: USCodex@fsis.usda.gov; interested parties in other countries should submit their comments directly to the Codex Secretariat at: codex@fao.org.

On Aug. 27 the Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports:

The Codex Committee on Food Labeling invited member countries and observer organizations to participate in an electronic working group to review proposals for substances for inclusion in the Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labeling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods (CAC/GL 32-1999), said the Food Safety and Inspection Service. The work group, co-chaired by the U.S. and Cameroon, will further consider the use of ethylene for sprout inhibition in potatoes and onions. Member countries and observer organizations interested in participating in this eWG should provide the name(s), official title, and email address of their representative(s) to USCodex@fsis.usda.gov and jeanine_nkodo@yahoo.fr by Sept. 7, 2012.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued emails Aug. 27 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 Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending the Cotton Board Rules and Regulations by increasing the value assigned to imported cotton for calculating supplemental assessments collected for use by the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. The current total assessment on imported cotton is $0.012665 per kilogram of imported cotton. The new total assessment, effective Sept. 27, is $0.014109 per kilogram, an increase of $0.001444 per kilogram. According to AMS, this increase reflects the increase in the average weighted price of Upland Cotton Received by U.S. Farmers during the period January through December 2011. AMS also changed, effective Sept. 27, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule statistical reporting numbers that were amended since the last assessment adjustment.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued emails Aug. 24 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.

On Aug. 24 the Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports:

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued emails Aug. 23 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.

On Aug. 23 the Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports:

The Agricultural Marketing Service issued a final rule establishing a minimum quality regulation for lots of pistachios imported into the U.S. The amendments to 7 CFR Part 999, which are effective Sept. 26, specify a maximum aflatoxin tolerance level of 15 parts per billion, as certified by aflatoxin inspection certificates. According to AMS, these import quality requirements are the same as or comparable to those in effect for the domestically produced commodity.