US Legislative Proposal Introduces Emergency Assistance Framework for Specialty Crops
A group of US senators has introduced the Cultivating Horticultural Innovation in Local Economies (CHILE) Act, legislation to strengthen federal support for specialty crop growers facing economic losses and market disruptions. The bill would establish a Specialty Crop Emergency Assistance Framework and require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to use this framework when providing direct […]
EU Tariff Framework Finalized for US Dried Fruits and Tree Nuts
EU Tariff Framework Finalized for US Dried Fruits and Tree Nuts Following formal adoption by the Council of the European Union on June 25, 2026, two regulations implementing tariff-related commitments under the August 2025 EU-US Joint Statement were published in the EU’s Official Journal on June 30 and entered into force the following day. The legislation sets zero customs duties for […]
Fertilizer Flows Resume, but Supply Relief Remains Gradual
Fertilizer Flows Resume, but Supply Relief Remains Gradual Fertilizer shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have started to recover following the interim US-Iran deal, although flows remain far from normal levels, according to Reuters. Before the conflict, the strait handled around a third of globally traded urea and nearly half of seaborne sulfur, both key inputs […]
Codex Requests Comments on Recommended Pesticide MRLs
Codex Alimentarius has issued circular letter CL 2026/30-PR inviting Codex members and observers to comment on the MRLs proposed by the 2025 Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR). The proposed MRLs include the following: INC members who wish to provide feedback on any of these proposed MRLs may do so by filling in this form before July 15, 2026. […]
Council of the EU Formally Adopts Tariff Regulation: 0% on US Dried Fruits and Quota for US Tree Nuts
On June 25, 2026, the Council of the European Union formally adopted legislation implementing the tariff elements of the August 2025 EU-US Joint Statement. In addition to setting customs duties at 0% for various dried fruits from the US, the legislation envisages a 500,000 metric ton tariff-rate quota for US tree nuts entering the EU market. The legislation […]
Oil Prices Fall as US-Iran Talks Ease Immediate Supply Concerns
Oil prices fell on June 22 after signs of progress emerged from US-Iran talks in Switzerland, easing immediate fears over supply disruption through the Strait of Hormuz. According to Reuters, Brent crude dropped after US Vice President JD Vance said progress had been made in the discussions and that the strait remained open, reversing earlier gains […]
Provisional Enforcement of EU MOAH MLs
Provisional Enforcement of EU MOAH MLs As noted in a previous INC update, in May 2026, the European Commission’s proposal on maximum levels for mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) in food received a favorable vote at the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCOPAFF). Subject to scrutiny by the European Parliament and the […]
European Parliament Passes Tariff Regulation: 0% on US Dried Fruits and Quota for US Tree Nuts
European Parliament Passes Tariff Regulation: 0% on US Dried Fruits and Quota for US Tree Nuts On June 16, 2026, the European Parliament passed legislation implementing the tariff elements of the August 2025 EU-US Joint Statement. In addition to setting customs duties at 0% for various dried fruits from the US, the legislation envisages a […]
ECB Raises Rates by 25 bps as Inflation Pressures Persist Despite Weakening Growth Outlook
ECB Raises Rates by 25 bps as Inflation Pressures Persist Despite Weakening Growth Outlook The European Central Bank (ECB) has met expectations by raising interest rates by 25 basis points in the Eurozone. Unanimously, it has set the deposit facility rate at 2.25%, the main refinancing rate at 2.40%, and the marginal lending facility at […]
US Senate Agriculture Committee to Release Farm Bill Draft in June; Specialty Crops and Tree Nuts Covered
The US Senate Agriculture Committee is expected to release its version of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 in June, with a committee markup planned later the same month, according to Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR). The House passed the US$390 billion, five-year bill on April 30 with a 224-200 vote—the farthest […]