On December 4, 2019, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) launched a public consultation on the Draft Scientific Opinion on the risks to public health related to the presence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in food.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency received applications to register new uses for pesticide products containing currently registered active ingredients.

On December 18, 2019, China announced a 2020 tariff adjustment plan, including tentative import tariff rates, which lowered the applied Most Favored Nation (MFN) import tariffs for certain nuts, among other agricultural products.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established new tolerances for residues of fenpyroximate and flutianil in or on multiple commodities.

On December 15, 2019, China announced the temporary suspension of planned additional tariffs on some US products, which were expected to enter into force on the same day.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a guidance to help manufacturers comply with the updated Nutrition Facts labeling regulations. 

On December 13, 2019, the US and China reached a Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement.

On December 10, the US, Mexico and Canada signed a new agreement that is expected to strengthen North American trade in agriculture.

Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency has announced the adoption of the MRL for cyclaniliprole.

The Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare notified the World Trade Organization of the Revision of the Standards and Specifications for Foods and Food Additives under the Food Sanitation Act (revision of agricultural chemical residue standards).