AMS Lifts Regulations on Mandatory Inspection and Testing for Imported Tobacco
The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service is removing requirements governing the mandatory inspection and pesticide testing for imported tobacco that were established under the Tobacco Adjustment Act of 1983, as the requirements reflect obsolete business practices, it said in a notice released May 27.
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The agency said that the amendments in the direct final rule reflect the change from mandatory to permissive inspection and pesticide testing of imported tobacco. The amendments remove specifications on how import inspection certificates, issued under mandatory inspection and pesticide testing, were to be managed. The amendments also clarify the appeal process for test results for imported tobacco and update how user fees and charges are to be determined.
AMS says these amendments remove regulations that have expired authorizing statutes or that govern non-operational programs, and their removal comes amid a February executive order from President Donald Trump calling for further deregulation.
The amendments are effective on July 28, unless AMS receives significant adverse comment by June 27.