Zika Labelling for China

NAEGA has been working closely with the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Services (FAS) and following developments out of China’s General Administration on Quality, Supervision and Inspection (AQSIQ) regarding new Zika-related mosquito disinsection requirements for U.S exports. Following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) determination that the United States is a Zika infected country, Chinese authorities are now requiring mosquito disinsection of all U.S. origin shipments. Disinsection requires that the vessel or container, not the goods, be sprayed or fumigated for mosquitos. Disinsection will not be required for chilled shipments or shipments of bulk food or feed. Exporters will be required to provide a proof of disinsection based on this template provided by AQSIQ. Disinsection does not need to be provided by a governmental body or a government approved body. Disinsection is required for all vessels and containers departing U.S. ports on or after August 5. Local CIQ officials will be conducting selective examination procedures at import. No separate Zika-related inspection process will occur.

NAEGA will continue to work with FAS and monitor developments and compliance with these procedures. For more information, please read the following documents provided by FAS regarding their discussons with AQSIQ.

• FAS Update on Requirements on Shipments from Zika-Infected Countries – August 19
• AQSIQ Zika Certificate Template – August 18
• AQSIQ Unofficial English Translation of Zika Virus Scheme

Please contact Gary or Ryan if you have any questions or concerns.

IGTC Newsletter

The newest edition of the IGTC Newsletter is now available! This week’s newsletter includes coverage of two new policy documents approved this week by the IGTC Management Council, information on an IGTC survey on electronic trade documentation and an opportunity to provide comments on the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety’s draft ministerial declaration ahead of its meetings in Cancun.  A copy of the newsletter can be found on the IGTC intranet at www.igtcglobal.org or by clicking here.

Washington State GE Wheat Plant Finding

We continue to monitor developments related to the detection of a few genetically engineered wheat plants in a field in Washington State. Japan, which removed Western White Winter Wheat from its August 4 tender, was reported to have enabled on August 22 testing for MON 71700 and 71800 in the U.S. prior to shipment as well as in Japan upon shipment arrival.