Distribution date: 05 January 2006

Places where fish or fish products are produced in a country, a zone or an aquaculture establishment must be approved and monitored for export purposes by the official veterinary service and be subject to an official fish health surveillance scheme. The country, zone or aquaculture establishment involved must be free from the pathogens that cause the following diseases, as listed in the Aquatic Animal Health Code: epizootic haematopoietic necrosis, infectious haematopoietic necrosis, spring viraemia of carp, viral haemorrhagic septicaemia, infectious pancreatic necrosis, infectious salmon anaemia, epizootic ulcerative syndrome, bacterial kidney disease (Renibacterium salmoninarum), gyrodactylosis (Gyrodactylus salaris) and red sea bream iridoviral disease. Visual inspections must be carried out to detect any visible parasites. Places of production in a country, zone or aquaculture establishment must be officially authorized by the competent authorities of the exporting country. The final product must comply with the following: Product identification (eviscerated or uneviscerated; cultured or wild stock; species; scientific name; date of production; expiry date; packaging type; total weight (kg.) or number (x 100); and stamp or seal of the official veterinary service). Product origin (name and address of the establishment approved by the official veterinary service). Product destination (place of shipment; destination (country and place); nature and identification of means of transport; container and seal number; name and address of the consignor; and name and address of the consignee). Description of content: (cont'd) Transport (under official seal in refrigerated vehicles adapted for this purpose which ensure conditions that prevent the deterioration, alteration or contamination of the products). The official veterinary health certificate covering the export must contain the following: a description of the product, information on the origin and destination of the product, health certification reflecting the above-mentioned points, confirmation that the products are suitable for human consumption, and the name, signature and stamp or seal of the official veterinary service. The product will be accompanied by a certificate of quality issued by the country of origin stating the results of the organoleptic analyses (dehydration, colour, smell, texture and taste), chemical analyses (total volatile basic nitrogen - TVB-N, total trimethylamine nitrogen - TMA-N, histamine - n-9 c-2 m-100 ppm and M-200 ppm, and contaminants - heavy metals and halogenated substances) and microbiological analyses (see table): INDICATORS Limits per g or ml n c m M m.o. at 30 o C 5 2 105 106 Coliforms at 45 o C 5 2 0.3 2.1 E. coli 5 0 < 0.3 -- Salmonella in 25 g 5 0 0 -- Enteropathogen (Vibrio cholerae) 5 0 0 -- V. parahaemolyticus 5 0 0 -- With regard to complaints/alerts, the official veterinary service of the exporting country must urgently inform the National Directorate of the Institute of Veterinary Medicine of the Republic of Cuba (Dirección Nacional del Instituto de Medicina Veterinaria de la República de Cuba), in the event of any outbreak in its territory of the diseases listed in the Aquatic Animal Health Code within three months of shipment of the products.

Products Covered: Eviscerated and uneviscerated fish, cultured fish stocks and wild fish stocks.

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 05 January 2006

Places where fish or fish products are produced in a country, a zone or an aquaculture establishment must be approved and monitored for export purposes by the official veterinary service and be subject to an official fish health surveillance scheme. The country, zone or aquaculture establishment involved must be free from the pathogens that cause the following diseases, as listed in the Aquatic Animal Health Code: epizootic haematopoietic necrosis, infectious haematopoietic necrosis, spring viraemia of carp, viral haemorrhagic septicaemia, infectious pancreatic necrosis, infectious salmon anaemia, epizootic ulcerative syndrome, bacterial kidney disease (Renibacterium salmoninarum), gyrodactylosis (Gyrodactylus salaris) and red sea bream iridoviral disease. Visual inspections must be carried out to detect any visible parasites. Places of production in a country, zone or aquaculture establishment must be officially authorized by the competent authorities of the exporting country. The final product must comply with the following: Product identification (eviscerated or uneviscerated; cultured or wild stock; species; scientific name; date of production; expiry date; packaging type; total weight (kg.) or number (x 100); and stamp or seal of the official veterinary service). Product origin (name and address of the establishment approved by the official veterinary service). Product destination (place of shipment; destination (country and place); nature and identification of means of transport; container and seal number; name and address of the consignor; and name and address of the consignee). Description of content: (cont'd) Transport (under official seal in refrigerated vehicles adapted for this purpose which ensure conditions that prevent the deterioration, alteration or contamination of the products). The official veterinary health certificate covering the export must contain the following: a description of the product, information on the origin and destination of the product, health certification reflecting the above-mentioned points, confirmation that the products are suitable for human consumption, and the name, signature and stamp or seal of the official veterinary service. The product will be accompanied by a certificate of quality issued by the country of origin stating the results of the organoleptic analyses (dehydration, colour, smell, texture and taste), chemical analyses (total volatile basic nitrogen - TVB-N, total trimethylamine nitrogen - TMA-N, histamine - n-9 c-2 m-100 ppm and M-200 ppm, and contaminants - heavy metals and halogenated substances) and microbiological analyses (see table): INDICATORS Limits per g or ml n c m M m.o. at 30 o C 5 2 105 106 Coliforms at 45 o C 5 2 0.3 2.1 E. coli 5 0 < 0.3 -- Salmonella in 25 g 5 0 0 -- Enteropathogen (Vibrio cholerae) 5 0 0 -- V. parahaemolyticus 5 0 0 -- With regard to complaints/alerts, the official veterinary service of the exporting country must urgently inform the National Directorate of the Institute of Veterinary Medicine of the Republic of Cuba (Dirección Nacional del Instituto de Medicina Veterinaria de la República de Cuba), in the event of any outbreak in its territory of the diseases listed in the Aquatic Animal Health Code within three months of shipment of the products.

Products Covered: Eviscerated and uneviscerated fish, cultured fish stocks and wild fish stocks.

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 22 December 2005

Products Covered: Fireworks and other pyrotechnic articles (HS:  3604)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 22 December 2005

Products Covered: Fireworks and other pyrotechnic articles (HS:  3604)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 20 December 2005

US Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule amending the food additive regulations under Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations part 172 for the safe use of n-octanol (n-octyl alcolhol) produced by a new manufacturing process, the hydrodimerization of 1,3-butadiene.

Products Covered: All foods

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 20 December 2005

US Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule amending the food additive regulations under Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations part 172 for the safe use of n-octanol (n-octyl alcolhol) produced by a new manufacturing process, the hydrodimerization of 1,3-butadiene.

Products Covered: All foods

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 15 December 2005

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a proposed rule to amend the final monograph (FM) for over-the-counter (OTC) dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis drug products to include the combination of 1.8 percent coal tar solution and 1.5 percent menthol in a shampoo drug product to control dandruff. FDA is issuing this proposed rule after considering information submitted in a citizen petition. This proposal is part of FDA's ongoing review of OTC drug products.

Products Covered: Human Drug Products  (HS:  Chapter 3003;  ICS:  11)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 15 December 2005

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a proposed rule to amend the final monograph (FM) for over-the-counter (OTC) dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis drug products to include the combination of 1.8 percent coal tar solution and 1.5 percent menthol in a shampoo drug product to control dandruff. FDA is issuing this proposed rule after considering information submitted in a citizen petition. This proposal is part of FDA's ongoing review of OTC drug products.

Products Covered: Human Drug Products  (HS:  Chapter 3003;  ICS:  11)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 08 December 2005

EPA is proposing to remove the molecular weight limitations from the tolerance exemption expression for certain polymeric substances codified in 40 CFR 180.960. These exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance were established based on the polymer's meeting the criteria established by the Agency in 40 CFR 723.250, which define a low risk polymer. The Agency is acting on its own initiative.

Products Covered: Pesticide (HS Chapter 3808;  ICS:  65)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 08 December 2005

EPA is proposing to remove the molecular weight limitations from the tolerance exemption expression for certain polymeric substances codified in 40 CFR 180.960. These exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance were established based on the polymer's meeting the criteria established by the Agency in 40 CFR 723.250, which define a low risk polymer. The Agency is acting on its own initiative.

Products Covered: Pesticide (HS Chapter 3808;  ICS:  65)

Regulation Type: Regular notification