Tag: imports
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USDA Proposes Expansion of Organic Products Assessment Exemption
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed a rule that would allow anyone producing, handling, marketing, or importing certified organic products to be exempt from paying the assessments associated with commodity promotion activities like advertising. The exemption would cover all “organic” and “100 percent organic” products certified under the National Organic Program. The current rule…
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United States and Mexico Reach Deal on Sugar Imports
Hours before U.S. regulators were poised to penalize Mexican sugar imports, the United States and Mexico reached an agreement to set a price floor on imported sugar and to suspend anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties. The dispute began in April 2014 when the U.S. Department of Commerce initiated an investigation following petitions from the U.S. sugar…
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Monsanto Reaches Agreement in Principle over GM Wheat Contamination
In light of representations that the parties are close to settlement, a multidistrict litigation (MDL) court has continued to stay proceedings in litigation alleging that the isolated appearance of genetically modified (GM) wheat in Oregon, which purportedly led Japan and South Korea to suspend imports of soft-white wheat from the United States, caused wheat farmers…
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Hershey Accuses Importer of Infringing Reese’s, Cadbury Trade Dress
Hershey Co. has filed a complaint in Pennsylvania federal court alleging that LLB Imports infringes its trademarks and trade dress for several of its products, including Reese’s, York, Cadbury, Malteser, Kit Kat, and Rolo. Hershey Co. v. LLB Imports LLC, No. 14-1655 (M.D. Penn., filed August 25, 2014). According to the complaint, LLB Imports has been…
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Preliminary Commerce Ruling Will Raise Cost of Sugar from Mexico
The Department of Commerce has issued an affirmative preliminary determination in a countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of sugar imports from Mexico, and the United States is preparing to impose import duties as high as 17 percent on Mexican sugar. According to an International Trade Administration fact sheet, the CVD investigation was instituted in March 2014…
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Russia Takes Further Action on Food Sanctions
Russia has relaxed its food ban against the European Union by clarifying that it will allow imports of salmon and trout hatchlings, potato and onion seed, sugar maize hybrid and peas for planting, lactose-free milk, flavor additives, and food fibers. The move follows criticism from within the country on the effects the import prohibitions would…
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USDA Schedules Codex Meetings on Import/Export Inspection and Certification; Food Hygiene
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food Safety and Inspection Service is convening a September 25, 2014, public meeting in Washington, D.C., to receive public comments about draft positions to be discussed at the 21st Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in…
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Russia Bans Food Imports from United States, European Union
In response to recent sanctions related to the conflict in Ukraine, Russia has prohibited food imports from the United States, European Union, Australia, Norway, and Canada. The ban extends to meat, fish, produce, and milk products and will remain in place for one year. Although alcohol was not included in the announced food import bans,…