Food Safety Update: January 2023
FAO: Risk Assessment of Food Allergens (Part 2) The FAO and WHO reconvened the Ad hoc Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Risk Assessment of Food Allergens for a second meeting to provide scientific advice and establish threshold levels in foods for priority allergens. The committee considered four approaches to define thresholds: analytical-based; no observed adverse […]
Latest Trade News and Agreements: January 2023
WTO Rules Against US Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum According to Reuters, on December 9, 2022, the World Trade Organization ruled against US tariffs imposed on steel and aluminum imports. Back in 2018, the United States imposed 25% tariffs on steel imports and 10% on aluminum, using Section 232 of a 1962 act allowing to […]
Sustainability Update: January 2023
UN COP15 Outcomes and ISSB Climate-related Disclosures Standard The UN COP15 concluded in Montreal with an agreement to halt and reverse the destruction of nature by 2030. The Kunming-Montreal biodiversity agreement includes key global targets such as: to restore 30% degraded ecosystems globally by 2030, and to sustainably manage areas under agriculture and forestry. Also, […]
Labeling Update: December 2022
Japan: Walnuts, Food Labeling Standards The Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the proposed Partial Revision to the Food Labeling Standards regarding labeling for certain products and allergen labeling. The Food Labeling Standards will be partially amended to add walnuts to “specified ingredients” for allergen labeling and shall always […]
Marketing Orders Update: December 2022
USA: Increased Assessment Rate for Dried Prunes Produced in California This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Prune Marketing Committee to increase the assessment rate established for the 2022/23 crop year and subsequent fiscal years. The proposed assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated. Deadline for comments is […]
Sustainability Update: December 2022
FAO: The State of Food and Agriculture 2022 This flagship report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) looks into the drivers of agricultural automation, including the more recent digital technologies. Based on 27 case studies, the report analyses the business case for adoption of digital automation technologies in different […]
Food Safety Update: December 2022
Brazil: Dates Produced in the UAE On October 27, 2022, Brazil notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of Ordinance SDA No. 679, which revokes Ordinance SDA/MAPA No. 552, on the phytosanitary requirements for the importation of dried date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera) produced in the United Arab Emirates. Comment period ends December 27, 2022. More information […]
Latest Trade News and Agreements: December 2022
EU-Australia: FTA Negotiations, Round Thirteen The thirteenth round of the Australia-EU FTA negotiations took place in Brussels on October 17-21, 2022. The EU negotiating team was led by the Directorate General for Trade of the European Commission while the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade led the Australian delegation. Both Australia and the EU have […]
Marketing Orders Update: November 2022
USA: Walnuts Grown in California This proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans amendments to Marketing Order No. 984 (Order), which regulates the handling of walnuts grown in California. The California Walnut Board, which locally administers the Order, recommended amendments that would: eliminate mandatory inspection and certification of in-shell and shelled walnuts, […]
Latest Trade News and Agreements: November 2022
Cambodia-Korea Free Trade Agreement The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea ratified the agreement on September 27, 2022. According to the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CBC), the Cambodia-Korea FTA (CKFTA) is expected to foster Cambodia’s agricultural exports to the Republic of Korea, including cashew nuts. The Agreement will come into force December 1, 2022. […]