The Commodity Credit Corporation said it's accepting proposals by May 21, 2012, for its 2013 Quality Samples Program (QSP), which is designed to encourage the development and expansion of export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities by assisting U.S. entities in providing commodity samples to potential foreign importers to promote a better understanding and appreciation for the high quality of U.S. agricultural commodities. Participants may seek reimbursement from QSP for the sample purchase price, the cost of transporting the samples domestically to the port of export, and then to the foreign port or point of entry.

The Commodity Credit Corporation announced it's accepting proposals by May 21, 2012, for its 2013 Emerging Markets Program (EMP), which assists U.S. entities in developing, maintaining, or expanding exports of U.S. agricultural commodities and products by funding activities that improve emerging markets’ food and rural business systems, including reducing potential trade barriers in such markets. The EMP is intended primarily to support export market development efforts of the private sector, but EMP resources may also be used to assist public organizations.

On April 19, 2012, the Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports:

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued emails April 19, 2012, announcing changes to some Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) electronic manuals. While some changes are minor, other changes may affect the admissibility of the plant products, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

On April 18, 2012, the Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports:

The Food Safety and Inspection Service recently revised export requirements and plant lists for the following countries:

On April 16 and 17, 2012, the Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports:

The Department of Agriculture announced a fiscal year 2012 raw sugar tariff-rate quota increase of 420,000 short tons raw value (SRTV) (reassigned from FY 2012 surplus allocations from the cane sugar domestic marketing allotment), effective April 19, 2012.

From April 11 to April 13, 2012, the Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued emails April 16, 2012, announcing changes to some Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) electronic manuals. While some changes are minor, other changes may affect the admissibility of the plant products, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers.