Imported Onion Changes Withdrawn
The Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service has withdrawn a proposal to change its regulations on imported onions.
Currently, from March 10 through June 4 of each marketing year, imported onions (not including pearl and cipolline onions) must comply with grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements imposed under a federal marketing order for South Texas onions. In August 2021 AMS proposed to terminate that order due to a lack of producer support for it. However, AMS has now withdrawn that proposed rule after 85 of the 90 comments received, as well as a related producer referendum, indicated opposition to terminating the order.
AMS adds that enforcement of the obligation to pay assessments at the rate of $0.05 per 50-pound equivalent, which was administratively suspended March 15, 2021, is reinstated for the 2022-2023 and subsequent fiscal periods.
Imports of Papaya from Costa Rica Under Review
The Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is considering a request to authorize the importation for consumption of papaya from Costa Rica into the U.S. APHIS has drafted a pest risk assessment that lists the potential pests likely to remain on this commodity upon importation if no mitigation is applied. Comments on this assessment, including information that might lead APHIS to revise its assessment before identifying pest mitigations and proceeding with the commodity import approval process, are due by March 22.
Copyright © 2025 Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.; WorldTrade Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved.