The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has stopped the import of fresh bell peppers from Spain, as of Dec. 29, because it wants to prevent the Mediterranean fruit fly from spreading in the U.S. In-bond transfers of the peppers are also prohibited, south of 39 degree latitude and west of 104 degrees longitude. Fruit flies were detected during multiple CBP inspections of the subject goods at ports of entry to the U.S.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will “effective immediately” allow imports from Canada of breeding water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and yak (Bos grunniens), APHIS said in an update Dec. 9. An import permit is required, and the shipment “must also be accompanied by a health certificate endorsed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” APHIS said. “The importer/ transporter must contact the Northern Border Port of entry at least 14 days in advance to arrange inspection details if the animals are transported by land,” the agency said.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will slightly lower some fees for agricultural quarantine and inspection (AQI) services, the agency said in a news release. The agency is removing a 3.5% surcharge put in place in 2015 for commercial trucks and truck transponders, international air passengers and international cruise ship passengers, in response to a court decision that found the APHIS no longer has the authority to implement the increase. The amended fees take effect Dec. 1. “Please note that these fee changes do not affect [CBP] fees collected concurrently with certain AQI fees listed above, such as those fees applicable to commercial trucks, although the overall amount to be tendered in such transactions will change accordingly."
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is proposing changes to import conditions for table grapes from Chile, it said in a notice released Oct. 14. Under the changes, table grapes from Chile could be imported under a systems approach or using irradiation treatment for the European grapevine moth and Chilean false red mite if they are from areas with a very low prevalence of those pests. Current mitigation measures for the Medfly would remain unchanged. “The systems approach would provide an alternative to the current import requirement of mandatory treatment with methyl bromide fumigation,” APHIS said in an emailed update. Comments are due Dec. 16.
Trade participants in the 21st Century Customs Framework “focus group” are set to meet with CBP and other government officials Oct. 17 and 18 to discuss a series of proposed statutory changes developed over recent weeks that aim to incorporate facilitation measures into upcoming customs modernization legislation.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is loosening requirements on importation of bovines and bovine products from Ireland, it said in a notice. APHIS will reclassify Ireland as having negligible risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, concurring with recommendations recently issued by the World Organization for Animal Health, the agency said. Ireland had previously been classified as undetermined for BSE risk, and imports of bovines and bovine products from the country were prohibited.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will allow importation of pummelo fruit from Vietnam into the U.S., subject to certain phytosanitary requirements, it said in a notice released Oct. 3. Imports may be authorized beginning Oct. 4, APHIS said.
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The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will allow imports of fresh turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizome from Samoa, it said in a notice released Sept. 26. Importation will be subject to "one or more designated phytosanitary measures ... to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds,” APHIS said. Imports may be authorized beginning Sept. 27.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will allow imports of non-precleared sand pears from South Korea into all U.S. ports, it said in a notice released Sept. 26. Previously, non-precleared sand pears from the country could be imported only into the Port of Honolulu, and only fruit imported under an APHIS preclearance program was allowed into all ports (see 2103120030). The non-precleared sand pears will be subject to the import conditions of the “systems approach” currently required for precleared fruit. Imports may be authorized at all U.S. ports beginning Sept. 27, APHIS said.