Artichoke Imports
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has prepared a pest risk analysis that evaluates the risks associated with the importation into the U.S. of fresh, immature flower buds of globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus, also known as spiny artichoke) from Sardinia, Italy. Based on this analysis, APHIS has determined that the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds via the importation into the U.S. of globe artichoke from Sardinia, Italy. Interested parties may comment on this analysis by May 4.
Pesticide Residue
The Foreign Agricultural Service advises that the European Union is proposing to set residue levels for non-EU-approved pesticides at the limit of quantification, effectively a zero-tolerance level, which according to FAS could impact U.S. exports of soybeans, corn, tree nuts, and other products that make up over $5.4 billion in annual exports to the EU. The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union will now assess the European Commission’s legislative proposal. FAS notes that amendments to the legislative proposal will be made separately by the Parliament and Council, and that negotiations will eventually occur to find institutional agreement before the proposals are adopted as official EU law.
Pineapple Imports
APHIS has prepared a pest risk assessment and a risk management document relative to the importation into the U.S. of fresh pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) fruit from Taiwan. Currently, fresh pineapple fruit from Taiwan must be at least 50 percent Smooth Cayenne by lineage in order to be authorized importation into the U.S. and may only be imported into Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, among other import conditions. However, the national plant protection organization of Taiwan has asked APHIS for expanded authorization to import any variety of fresh pineapple fruit into any U.S. state or territory.
Based on the request submitted by the national plant protection organization of Taiwan, APHIS has prepared a PRA that evaluates the plant pest and noxious weed risk associated with the importation of fresh pineapple fruit from Taiwan into the U.S., as well as an RMD that proposes mitigations to address these risks. Interested parties may comment on this action by May 4.
Copyright © 2026 Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.; WorldTrade Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved.