On June 10, 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.
On June 9, 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.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued new guidance announcing that Spruce Pine Fir (abbreviated SPF) is an approved shorthand term for the Lacey Act declaration, in circumstances where the list of possible species to declare includes all species in the Common Trade Grouping “SPF”.
The World Resources Institute (WRI), Enironmental Investigation Agency (EIA-US) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) have created a global initiative, the Forest Legality Alliance, to help private corporations reduce their trade in illegal wood. The alliance's formation comes after the U.S. amended the Lacey Act in 2008 to ban the trade of illegal wood products in the US.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the importation of sweet limes from Mexico into the continental U.S., in which APHIS has concluded that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the pest risk. Comments are due by August 9, 2010.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announces that, effective June 10, 2010, it is recognizing the Arica Province in Chile as a pest-free area for Ceratitis capitata, Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly). Accordingly, APHIS is recognizing the Republic of Chile as a pest-free area for Medfly and has added it to the list of pest-free areas.
On June 7, 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 June 7, 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 June 7, 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 issued a proposed rule regarding the importation of Unshu oranges from Korea to remove requirements for the fruit to be grown in specified canker-free export areas and for joint inspection in the groves and packinghouses by the Government of Korea and APHIS, among other things. Comments are due by August 9, 2010.