According to sources at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, many aspects of its planned list of examples of plant taxa or commodities that qualify to be categorically exempt1 from the Lacey Act as a “common cultivar” or a “common food crop” are still under development.
On August 11, 2010, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Treatment Manual. This Manual serves as an operational guide for selecting and conducting quarantine treatments. The procedures and treatment schedules in this manual are administratively authorized for use by APHIS to prevent the movement of agricultural pests into or within the United States. Listed treatments include chemical treatments such as fumigation with methyl bromide, and nonchemical treatments with heat, cold, or irradiation.
On August 12, 2010, APHIS updated its Miscellaneous and Processed Products PPQ Manual. The manual is used for regulating imported items that are processed and are not intended for propagation.
On August 12, 2010, APHIS updated its Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Import PPQ Manual. The manual lists by country fruits and vegetables that are admissible into the United States. It includes a description of methods for sampling and inspecting selected fruits and vegetables. It also contains pictorial identification guides, and a glossary for common and scientific names of fruits and vegetables.
During the August 4, 2010 meeting of the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Related Homeland Security Functions (COAC) in Detroit, MI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials discussed a variety of agriculture issues:
On August 10, 2010, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Animal Product Manual. This Manual provides the background, procedures, and regulatory actions to enforce the regulations governing the import and export of animals, animal products, and animal by-products.
On August 10, 2010, APHIS updated the Manual for Agricultural Clearance. The manual provides CBP personnel working at airport and maritime locations with the guidelines, directions, and policy for clearing carriers and passengers/crew and controlling garbage and cargo.
At the July 13, 2010 Customs Electronic Systems Action Committee (CESAC) Plenary session, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials held a presentation on its own International Trade Data System Concept of Operations.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announces its intention to request extension of approval of an information collection associated with the export of animals and animal products from the U.S. for an additional three years. Comments are due by October 12, 2010.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announces its intention to revise an information collection associated with regulations for the importation of live swine, pork, and pork products from certain regions free of classical swine fever in Chile and Mexico and to request extension of approval of the information collection for an additional three years. Comments are due by October 12, 2010.