The INC participated in the Workshop on Agri-Food Supply Chains in Cross-Border Trade of Nuts and Dried Fruits, held on September 11-13, 2018, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The workshop was hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and counted with the support of the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and other organizations whose work promotes international cooperation.

On September of 25, 2018, the U.S. Commodity Credit Corporation and Farm Service Agency notified the availability Market Facilitation Program (MFP) funds for eligible producers of shelled almonds.

On September 24, 2018, the US and Korea signed an updated Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) which includes several renovated customs guidelines.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea notified the World Trade Organization of the proposed amendments to the Standards and Specifications for Food Additives.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the proposed amendments to the Standards and Specifications for Foods.

According to a USDA GAIN Report, on September 13, 2018, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced revisions to the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for some agricultural chemicals.

India has extended by 45 days for the second time the imposition of higher customs duties on 29 products imported from the US, including almonds and walnuts.

The German Federation of Food Law and Food Science introduced a “Toolbox for Preventing the Transfer of Undesired Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons into Food.”

The European Commission notified the World Trade Organization of the draft Commission Regulation amending Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.