Importers of H5 avian influenza virus variants must obtain a permit from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for variants that cause human disease, according to a June 12 CSMS message from CBP. On the other hand, for variants that don't cause human disease, such as attenuated strains that are no longer infectious, an importer certification statement should be included to avoid potential shipping delays, the message said. CDC is conducting the permit program in conjunction with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS) and the Organisms and Vectors (OV) Permitting Unit, pursuant to 9 C.F.R. Part 122, which is the regulation governing the handling of organisms related to viruses, serums, toxins and analogous products. Questions may be directed to importpermit@cdc.gov or to APHIS/DASAT at 301-851-2070 or DASAT@usda.gov.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service recognized the U.K. and 21 EU member states as being free from the citrus longhorned beetle (CLB) and Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), according to a notice released June 11. As a result, APHIS is removing these countries from the list of countries where CLB and ALB are present. In addition to this change, the agency also said it is changing the entry conditions and relieving certain restrictions on imports of host plants of CLB and ALB into the U.S. from Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the U.K. The changes are effective June 12. Meanwhile, EU member states that continue to be listed as countries where ALB and/or CLB are present are: Austria, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany and Italy.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that the regions of Tuscany and Umbria in Italy are free of swine vesicular disease (SVD), it said in a notice released June 11. APHIS came to this conclusion following a risk evaluation and a public review and comment period. A final environmental assessment is also available related to this proceeding. As a result of this action, live swine, pork, and pork products may safely be imported into the U.S. from the regions of Tuscany and Umbria, Italy, subject to conditions in the regulations. The government of Italy had asked APHIS to evaluate the SVD disease status of the two regions. The determination is effective July 12.
Trade talks between the U.S. and Argentina this week covered customs facilitation, lithium and copper, and agricultural concerns on both sides.
International Trade Today is providing readers with the top stories from last week in case they were missed. All articles can be found by searching on the titles or by clicking on the hyperlinked reference number.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service plans to begin its seventh phase of enforcement of Lacey Act import declaration requirements on Dec. 1, it said in a notice that includes a list of tariff provisions included under phase seven and seeks comments on product coverage.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
International Trade Today is providing readers with the top stories from last week in case they were missed. All articles can be found by searching on the titles or by clicking on the hyperlinked reference number.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters: