The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a final rule, effective May 28, 2010, which amends the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow, under certain conditions, the importation of commercial shipments of fresh papayas from Colombia and Ecuador into the continental U.S. (D/N APHIS-2008-0050, FR Pub 04/28/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-9779.pdf)
On April 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. (Manual, updated 04/26/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/fv.pdf)
On April 26, 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. (Manual, updated 04/26/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/mac.shtml)
On April 26, 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. (Manual, updated 04/26/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/apm.shtml)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has asked the Office of Management and Budget to review and approve its proposed rule to establish definitions for the terms “common cultivar” (except trees) and “common food crop”, which are among the categorical exemptions to the Lacey Act Amendments requirements.
The Federal Register has published the spring 2010 semi-annual regulatory agendas for Federal government agencies.
1. FDA Responds to Report on Sodium Levels in Food
1. NAM Responds to Gate's Export Control Reform Proposals
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has announced that the U.S. and Brazil have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as part of the “path forward” toward resolving the upland cotton dispute.1
On April 8, 2010, U.S. Customs and Border Protection held a webinar that provided an update on Automated Commercial Environment and the International Trade Data System “Concept of Operations”.