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August 11, 2000
China Agrees to Import U.S. Potatoes and Streamline Citrus Documentation
Following a bilateral meeting with China’s agricultural officials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on August 3, 2000 that China will begin the review process to allow the importation of U.S. potatoes from Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. The Chinese are open to importing U.S. seed potatoes from Alaska, and tablestock potatoes from Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. The three states are free of many of the pests and diseases commonly associated with potatoes.The Chinese delegation also agreed to simplify procedures and do away with the need for the address of the packing facility to appear on the shipping documents accompanying U.S. citrus. The requirement led to confusion at Chinese ports of entry and delayed the distribution of U.S. citrus shipments. The potential for agricultural exports to China is estimated to be about $2 billion annually by 2005.
USDA Proposes Relaxing Minimum Maturity Requirements for California and Imported Kiwifruit
USDA announced on August 3, 2000 a proposed rule to relax minimum maturity requirements for California and imported kiwifruit. The maturity requirements for California and imported kiwifruit would be reduced from 6.5 percent to 6.2 percent soluble solids. Recent research indicates that fruit harvested at 6.2 percent soluble solids will ripen properly. Consumer taste tests have shown that such fruit has a high level of consumer acceptability. The change in the California kiwifruit maturity requirements was recommended by the Kiwifruit Administrative Committee, responsible for local administration of the marketing order covering the handling of kiwifruit grown in California. Application of the same maturity requirements to imported kiwifruit is required under section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937. Details of the minimum maturity requirements were published in the July 31 issue of the Federal Register. Written comments will be accepted until Aug. 30 and should be addressed to the Docket Clerk, AMS Fruit and Vegetable Programs, USDA Room 2525-S, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456; e-mail: moab.docketclerk@usda.gov. Copies of the proposal will be available from George J. Kelhart at the same address, or by calling (202) 720-2491. The proposed rule may be viewed at www.ams.usda.gov/fv/moab.html.
EU-Mexico Free Trade Agreement Takes Effect
On July 1, 2000, the EU-Mexico Free Trade Agreement (FTA) entered into force. This agreement aims to eliminate import tariffs on 62 percent of agricultural products by 2010 and 96 percent of industrial products by 2007 traded between the EU and Mexico, according to the EU. Mexico will grant preferential access to EU products including beer, some oilseed products, certain vegetables, fruits and fruit juices, liquors and spirits, and tomatoes. In return, Mexico will gain preferential access for coffee, avocado, fruits and juices, and honey. Most U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico will be subject to lower tariffs under NAFTA than for like products from the EU under the new FTA. Advisors to Mexico’s new President-elect, Vicente Fox, stated that the Fox administration, which takes over the reins of the government in December 2000, will adhere to Mexico’s FTAs.
New Zealand Slashes Wine Export Promotion Budget
The New Zealand wine industry’s cohesive international presence could be weakened by recent budget cuts. The Wine Institute of New Zealand has reported grower disappointment over the decision by the New Zealand Trade Development Board to halve its direct funding to the institute from NZ$150,000 to NZ$75,000 (US$70,500 to US$35,250) in the coming financial year. In an earlier report, the New Zealand industry had projected that exports would reach $140 million by 2003, almost triple the 1998 total, with exports expected to account for almost 50 percent of wine sales by 2003. However, those optimistic projections may be tempered somewhat as reduced funding forces New Zealand wineries to curtail or eliminate participation in certain international marketing events and activities. U.S. wine imports from New Zealand rose from $7.8 million in 1998 to $12.1 million in 1999. For further information see Attache report #NZ0043 which is available online at: /scriptsw/attacherep/default.asp
USDA Announces Purchase of Tomato Products
USDA announced on August 4, 2000 that it will purchase approximately 36 million pounds of processed tomato products to assist struggling growers. The tomato products will be donated to Needy Families, Child Nutrition, and other related domestic food assistance programs. The planned purchase will be made from offers that must be submitted on a delivered to destination basis. Deliveries will be made during the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2000 and ending Sept. 30, 2001. The purchase is in addition to 71.5 million pounds of tomato products bought to date in fiscal year 2000, including fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, tomato soup, tomato juice, salsa, and spaghetti sauce. USDA is also planning to purchase about 31 million pounds of tomato products in the coming weeks in addition to today's announcement.
USDA Announces Purchase of Peaches
USDA announced on August 3, 2000 that it will purchase approximately 36 million pounds of canned clingstone peach products to assist struggling growers. The peach products will be donated to Needy Families, Child Nutrition, and other related domestic food assistance programs. The planned purchase will be made from offers that must be submitted on a delivered to destination basis. Deliveries will be made during the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2000 and ending Sept. 30, 2001. The purchase is in addition to 9.1 million pounds of canned peaches bought to date in fiscal year 2000. It follows Vice President Gore's July 21 announcement of a major purchase of pears. USDA is also planning to purchase about 37 million pounds of canned peach products in the coming weeks in addition to today's announcement.
USDA Solicits Public Comment on Financial Security Requirements for Private Organic Certifying Agents
On August 9, 2000, USDA issued a Federal Register notice requesting public comment on the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 requirement that private certifying agents furnish reasonable financial security to protect the rights of participants in the National Organic Program (NOP). On March 13, USDA published a revised NOP proposed rule. The proposed rule stated the amount and terms of reasonable financial security would be the subject of additional rulemaking. Individuals wishing to submit a comment on this advance notice of proposed rulemaking or obtain additional information may contact Beth Hayden at USDA/AMS/ TMP/NOP, Room 2510 So., P.O. Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456; phone 202-720-3252; fax 202-205-7808 or via e-mail at beth.hayden@usda.gov. The public comment period on this notice closes on September 8, 2000. For more information, please see the program's website at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop or call the phone number above.
USDA Extends Comment Period on Irradiation Proposal
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) is extending the comment period on a
proposal to allow irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment for
fruits and vegetables imported into the United States.
Irradiation would provide an alternative to current control
methods, such as fumigation as well as cold and heat treatments.
Notice of this actions is scheduled for publication in the August
4 Federal Register. APHIS documents published in the Federal
Register, and related information, including the names of
organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS
dockets, are available on the Internet at Interested parties are
invited to comment on this proposed regulation. Consideration
will be given to comments received on or before Aug. 21. Please
send an original and three copies to Docket No. 98-030-1,
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Suite 3C03, 4700
River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238. For more
information, contact Donna L. West, import specialist
phytosanitary issues management team, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River
Road, Unit 140,Riverdale, Md. 20737-1236, telephone (301)
734-6799. For technical irradiation issues, contact Arnold
Foudin, assistant director, scientific services, PPQ, APHIS, 4700
River Road, Unit 147, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1237, telephone (301)
734-7710.
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