The Ministry for Primary Industries of New Zealand notified the World Trade Organization of the Addition of temporary precautionary requirements to the Import Health Standard for Sea Containers to manage the risk of brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) for consignments exported from Italy until 2020.

According to the USDA GAIN Report “Japan to Create Food Packaging Materials Positive List”, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) is revising its approach to packaging materials and is developing a positive list for materials that come into contact with foods.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan 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).

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan notified the World Trade Organization of the Summary of the Revision of the Pesticide Registration System.

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

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India notified the World Trade Organization of the Draft Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations 2018.

The Updated Blocking Statute in support of Iran nuclear deal entered into force on August 7, 2018. The Blocking Statute pursues the goal of mitigating the impact of the first batch of re-imposed US sanctions on Iran on the interests of EU companies doing legitimate business in Iran.