In the United States the following events have taken place under the several PGA during the month of March 2017.
| Agencies | Summary |
| Federal Register | Importing lemons from Northwest Argentina: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published a final rule on December 23, 2016 for amending the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow the importation of lemons from northwest Argentina into the continental U.S. under certain circumstances. In a document published on January 25, 2017, they stayed the regulations until March 27, 2017 and also continue to be stayed until May 26, 2017. See Details |
| Pesticide tolerances for Cloquintocet-mexyl: This regulation establishes tolerances level for residues of Cloquintocet-mexyl (acetic acid [5-chloro-8-quinolinyl) oxy]-1-methylhexyl ester) in or on teff when cloquintocet-mexyl is used as an inert ingredient in pesticide formulations containing pyroxsulam. Dow AgroSciences LLC requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) in order to cover residues of cloquintocet-mexyl in imported teff commodities. This regulation is effective on March 22, 2017. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before May 22, 2017. See Details |
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| CBER Act- Impact on U.S. industries and on beneficiary countries: Under section 215 of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery (CBER) Act, the International Trade Commission is inviting the public to appear at the public hearing and or to submit information in writing in connection with the preparation of its 23rd report. The report will cover trade during calendar years 2015 and 2016. The deadline for filing requests to appear at the public hearing is on April 13, 2017, deadline for filing pre-hearing briefs and statements is on April 20, 2017, deadline for filing post-hearing briefs and statements and for filing all other written submissions is on May 18, 2017 and deadline for transmittal of Commission report to Congress and the President is on September 29, 2017. See Details |
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| Requesting an import license for radioactive waste: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is correcting a notice regarding a license to import radioactive waste, which was published in the Federal Register on February 16, 2017. This action is necessary in order to adequately describe the type of licensing action being requested. The correction is effective from March 6, 2017. See Details |
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| Tariff of tolls: Under international agreement, The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of Canada jointly publish and presently administer the St. Lawrence Seaway Tariff of Tolls in their respective jurisdictions. The Tariff sets forth the level of tolls assessed on all commodities and vessels transiting the facilities operated by the SLSDC and the SLSMC. The Tariff of Tolls will become effective in Canada on March 20, 2017. See Details |
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| FSIS | FSIS notice 19-17 regarding inspection program on raw poultry products: This notice reissues FSIS Notice 32-15 with instructions for inspection program personnel (IPP) to follow when collecting samples of imported raw intact and non-intact poultry products that FSIS will analyze for Salmonella and Campylobacter. This notice provides instructions on handling of the new sample collection and transport both, drill sampling method, and clarification of packing instructions. See Details |
| FSIS notice 17-17 regarding inspection program on raw beef products: This notice provides instructions to inspection program personnel (IPP) at official import inspection establishments on sampling of raw beef product when an E. coli O157:H7 MT51 type of inspection (TOI) is assigned at an increased level of reinspection (LOR). This notice applies to beef product from the following foreign countries: France, Ireland, and the Netherlands. See Details |
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| DOC | Initiation of AD/CVD duty investigations of aluminum foil from China: The Department of Commerce announced the initiation of anti-dumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of aluminum foil from the People’s Republic of China on March 28, 2017. AD and CVD laws provide U.S. businesses and workers with an internationally accepted mechanism to seek relief from the injurious effects of dumping and unfairly subsidized imports into the U.S. This action launches AD and CVD investigations that will determine if Chinese exporters of aluminum foil have received government subsidies and sold these products at below the cost of production in the United States. The Trump Administration is unequivocally committed to the vigorous enforcement of America’s trade laws and will ensure U.S. businesses and workers are treated fairly. See Details |
