Broker Power is providing readers with some of the top stories for February 13 - February 17, 2012 in case they were missed last week.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has updated the following PPQ electronic manuals through February 10, 2012 (since the last update dated February , 2012):
The Office of Management and Budget has approved an Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service final rule entitled: "Importation of Wooden Handicrafts from China," which is expected to provide for the resumption of the importation of certain wooden handicrafts from China under specified conditions. APHIS had issued a supplemental proposed rule in 2010 in order to make several technical changes to its 2009 proposed rule that would provide for this resumption.
The Federal Register has published the fall 2011 semi-annual regulatory agendas for Federal government agencies, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Industry and Security, etc.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has updated the following PPQ electronic manuals through February 6, 2012 (since the last update dated February 2, 2012):
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is advising the public of its decision, effective February 10, 2012, to authorize the importation into the continental U.S. of fresh pomegranate fruit from India subject to specified phytosanitary measures. Based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, APHIS believes that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation of fresh pomegranate fruit from India.
On January 9, 2012, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it would close 259 domestic offices, facilities and labs across the country, as well as seven foreign offices as part of its Blueprint for Stronger Service to cut costs and streamline operations. When fully implemented, USDA states these actions along with other recommended changes will provide efficiencies valued at about $150 million annually, and eventually more based on future realignment of the workforce.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has updated the following PPQ electronic manuals through February 2, 2012 (since the last update dated January 26, 2012):
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued its fiscal year 2011 mid-year (June) report on Import Trade Trends. According to the report, CBP has processed nearly 16 percent more imports and collected almost $3 billion more in revenue than in the same time period in FY 2010. CBP states these preliminary indicators show economic trade recovery and continued stability and modest growth are projected for the rest of FY 2011. CBP has introduced the "Import Trade Trends Spotlight" as a new feature in this report, which focuses on CBP’s priority trade programs. The Spotlight in this issue of the report highlights CBP’s collaborative import safety efforts with other government agencies (OGAs).
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has updated the following PPQ electronic manuals through January 26, 2012 (since the last update dated January 18, 2012):