On May 13, 2019, China announced the imposition of additional tariffs on certain US products.

The National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China notified the World Trade Organization of the National Standard of the P.R.C.: Maximum Levels of Mycotoxins in Foods (GB2761).

On May 8, 2019, the European Commission published the Commission Implementing Regulation 2019/707 of 7 May 2019 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 as regards the extension of the approval periods of the active substances alpha-cypermethrin, beflubutamid, benalaxyl, benthiavalicarb, bifenazate, boscalid, bromoxynil, captan, cyazofamid, desmedipham, dimethoate, dimethomorph, diuron, ethephon, etoxazole, famoxadone, fenamiphos, flumioxazine, fluoxastrobin, folpet, foramsulfuron, formetanate, metalaxyl-m, methiocarb, metribuzin, milbemectin, Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251, phenmedipham, phosmet, pirimiphos-methyl, propamocarb, prothioconazole, s-metolachlor and tebuconazole.

A new draft Regulation as regards the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for chlorate in or on certain products will be discussed by EU Member States at the Standing Committee meeting of June 13-14, 2019.

On May 29, 2019, the European Commission issued the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/890 of 27 May 2019 imposing special conditions governing the import of groundnuts from Gambia and Sudan and amending Regulation (EC) No 669/2009 and implementing Regulation (EU) No 884/2014.

The EU launched an evaluation to examine the impact of the trade-related rules in the EU-Central America Association Agreement signed in 2013 with Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Salvador.

Due to the overuse of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture, antibiotic resistance is spreading at an alarming rate among pathogenic bacteria.

The International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) celebrated the 38th World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress from May 23 to 25, 2019, in Boca Raton Resort & Club, Florida. Around 1,300 attendees from 63 countries gathered together to share knowledge and ideas on market development and dynamics, the latest findings in health and nut allergy research, and the sustainable growth of the industry.