AMS Extends Comment Period on Proposed Changes to Export Reporting for Apples and Grapes

The Agricultural Marketing Service is extending the comment period until March 24 on proposed changes to export requirements for certain commodities to allow for electronic filing, it said (here). AMS's proposal would require shippers of apple and grape exports to enter an Export Form Certificate number or a USDA-defined exemption code into the Automated Export System (AES). The proposal would also define “shipper,” shift the current file retention requirement from carriers to shippers, and require shippers to provide, upon request, copies of the certificates to AMS, the agency said in the proposal. Comments were originally due Jan. 4.