EU: Pesticides, Extension of Approval Periods

On December 9, 2019, the European Commission published the Commission Implementing Regulation 2019/2094 of 29 November 2019 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 as regards the extension of the approval periods of the active substances benfluralin, dimoxystrobin, fluazinam, flutolanil, mancozeb, mecoprop-P, mepiquat, metiram, oxamyl and pyraclostrobin.

EU: Official Controls

On December 12, 2019, the European Commission published a set of regulations and a directive regarding official controls which apply from December 14, 2019.

EU: Customs Duties

On January 1, 2020, the European Commission published the Council Regulation (EU) 2019/2197 of 19 December 2019 amending Regulation (EU) No 1387/2013 suspending the autonomous Common Customs Tariff duties on certain agricultural and industrial products.

EU-ACP: Partnership Agreement

On December 17, 2019, the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) Partnership Agreement was extended until December 31, 2020.

EFSA: Spirotetramat, MRLs Review

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published the Reasoned Opinion on the Modification of the existing maximum residue levels for spirotetramat in small fruits and berries.

Kenya: Cashew Butter, Standards

The Kenya Bureau of Standards notified the World Trade Organization of the Draft East African Standards (DEAS) 1003:2019 Cashew Butter — Specification.

Kenya: Cashew Nuts, Standards

The Kenya Bureau of Standards notified the World Trade Organization of the Draft East African Standards (DEAS) for raw cashew nuts, raw cashew kernels and roasted cashew kernels.

EU: Metalaxyl-M, Renewal

The European Commission notified the World Trade Organization of the Draft Commission Implementing Regulation renewing the approval of the active substance metalaxyl-M, and restricting the use of seeds treated with plant protection products containing it, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market, and amending the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011.

EU: Monitoring of Acrylamide

On November 11, 2019, the European Commission published the Commission Recommendation (EU) 2019/1888 of 7 November 2019 on the monitoring of the presence of acrylamide in certain foods.