The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a proposed rule to allow, under certain conditions, the importation of commercial shipments of peppers from Panama into the U.S. without treatment. The conditions would include trapping, pre-harvest inspection, and shipping procedures. Comments are due by August 2, 2010.
On May 27, 2010, APHIS updated its Postentry Quarantine PPQ Manual for State Inspectors. This manual covers procedures for conducting PEQ tasks beginning with the request to approve a growing site and ending with the release or refusal of the plant material.
On May 27, 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 May 26, 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.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a revised CSMS message on the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s requirement that plant materials be reported on the Lacey Act declaration using standardized units of measure (such as kg, m, m2, and m3), effective May 1, 2010.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a proposed rule to amend regulations for the importation of Hass avocados originating in Michoacan, Mexico into the U.S. by, among other things, adding the option of bulk shipping bins when safeguarding is maintained from the packinghouse to the port of first arrival. Comments are due by July 26, 2010.
On May 24, 2010, APHIS updated its PPQ Export Program Manual. This is an operational manual for Authorized Certification Officials to enable them to inspect and issue Federal Export Certificates for plants and plant products. The Manual also provides information that helps exporters meet the plant quarantine import requirements of foreign countries.
On May 19, 2010, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Canadian Border Agricultural Clearance Manual. This Manual serves as a guide for authorized Federal officers at ports of entry along the Canadian Border.
On May 24, 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.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined to begin issuing permits, effective May 25, 2010, for the importation into the continental U.S. of fresh male summer squash flowers from Israel, under certain conditions, based on the findings of a pest risk analysis.