On May 25, 2012, the Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports:

A treatment schedule for methyl bromide fumigation of cottonseed for the fungal plant pathogen Fusarium oxysporumf. sp. vasinfectum (FOV) was added to the Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual, said the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. APHIS also prepared a treatment evaluation document that describes the new treatment schedule and says APHIS determined that it is effective at neutralizing FOV, certain strains of which are quarantine pests, and is requesting comments on its treatment schedule by July 30.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service issued directive 9900.5 to its import inspection personnel for conducting label verification procedures on imported meat, poultry, and egg products. The instructions for Canadian shipment and nutritional labeling verification are revised for clarity, and the section on un-marked carcasses, primal parts, and other products identified for further processing (Intended Use) is also revised. The directive said it incorporates instructions related to the Public Health Information System (PHIS). FSIS’ directive, which replaces FSIS Directive 9500.3 dated 02/02/10, is not effective until May 29, 2012.

On May 24, 2012, the Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports:

The Food Safety and Inspection Service reports that the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF) held its 20th session, May 7-11, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with 177 delegates from 47 countries, one regional organization, and 10 observer organizations. A detailed Delegate’s Report is available here. Highlights include:

The Food Safety and Inspection Service issued directive 9900.8 to its import inspection personnel concerning the identification, control, documentation, and disposition of imported meat, poultry, egg products, and shell eggs packed for consumer use that are refused entry into the U.S. The directive, which replaces directive 9020.1, Rev. 1, dated 05/18/09, is effective 05/29/12.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued emails May 24 and 25, 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 revised export requirements and plant lists for the following countries for the week of May 18 through May 25, 2012:

The Food Safety and Inspection Service issued directive 9900.2, which gives import inspection personnel instructions on how to conduct import reinspection on shipments of imported meat, poultry, and egg products. The directive includes instructions on prioritization of reinspections, sampling plans and defect tables for physical inspections, physical inspection of various products, condition of container examinations, incubation of hermetically sealed containers, net weight reinspection, etc. This directive is effective May 29, 2012.

On May 23, 2012, the Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports: