K A S H R U T . C O M_©

October 14, 2019 from the IFT:

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the green light to ultra-low gossypol cottonseed, ULGCS, to be utilized as human food and in animal feed. Keerti Rathore, a plant biotechnologist at Texas A&M University, and his team have developed, tested, and obtained deregulation for the transgenic cotton plant—TAM66274."

"TAM66274 is a unique cotton plant with ultra-low gossypol levels in the seed, which makes the protein from the seeds safe to consume, Rathore said, but also maintains normal plant-protecting gossypol levels in the rest of the plant, making it ideal for the traditional cotton farmer."

"Until now, the ability to utilize protein-rich cottonseed for food or even as feed for the non-ruminants was not possible because of the presence of a toxic terpenoid, gossypol. Gossypol in the leaves and stalks of the cotton plant serve as a pest deterrent, but its presence in the seed serves no purpose. With the development and approval of the ULGCS, gossypol is no longer a deterrent. "

"Until now, the ability to utilize protein-rich cottonseed for food or even as feed for the non-ruminants was not possible because of the presence of a toxic terpenoid, gossypol. Gossypol in the leaves and stalks of the cotton plant serve as a pest deterrent, but its presence in the seed serves no purpose. With the development and approval of the ULGCS, gossypol is no longer a deterrent. "

"When used in animal food, the appropriate name for dehulled cottonseed derived from TAM66274 cotton is 'low gossypol dehulled cottonseed,' and the appropriate name for dehulled cottonseed meal derived from TAM66274 cotton is 'low gossypol dehulled cottonseed meal.'"

"The next step is to get cotton farmers and the industry around the world to begin growing and marketing the special variety."

"The next step is to get cotton farmers and the industry around the world to begin growing and marketing the special variety."

U.S. Customs & Border Protection Release Guidelines Regarding Travel With The Arba Minim

• Sukkot 2019/5780: Guidelines regarging travel with the Arba Minim from Agudath Israel

  "A copy of the guidelines in here."

  "As in past years, Agudath Israel of America’s Washington Office has worked closely with agencies of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to help avoid potential problems for travelers carrying arba minim."

  "Both the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have notified their respective field personnel about the upcoming Sukkos holiday and the increased level of travel by persons of the Jewish faith, many of whom will be carrying arba minim. The agencies have also made this information available to the public – the TSA notice here and the CBP guidance here. "

  "The notifications, which have been sent out to federal officials at airports and border crossings, emphasize the religious significance of these items and outline the rules and procedures that would help allay possible security and health issues that are of concern to the federal government. Prior to these agency steps, lack of familiarity regarding Sukkos and the arba minim had led to numerous incidents each year of inadvertent mishandling and mistreatment — including denial of entry — of these ritual objects.

  The TSA Notice makes clear that the arba minim carried in airports, through security checkpoints or on aircraft, are not on the “prohibited items list” and provides instructions for travelers needing “special accommodations” in regard to checkpoint screening. The CBP Guidance sets forth detailed information regarding the inspection process for arba minim entering the United States from foreign countries and points out that the agency is 'committed to treating all travelers, including travelers who may be observing Sukkot, with respect and dignity at all U.S. ports of entry.'"

• October 2, 201 from the JCC Montreal:

  "U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Department of Homeland Security) " have made inspectors at border posts between Canada and the United States aware of the upcoming Succos Holiday. They have kindly arranged that there will be agricultural specialists available throughout the Yom Tov traveling period."

  "It is recommended that travelers traveling by car use the Champlain Border (Lacolle), as this border post will have more inspectors available. However, all border crossings between Canada and the United States have been briefed accordingly."

  "At the same time, arrangements have also been made at Montreal’s Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport."

  "People who are traveling with Lulav and Esrog will be requested to hand these items over for examination at all border posts. Once these items have been inspected and are free of pests and/or diseases, they will be released. Members of border inspection are sensitive to the handling of these items, and will ensure at all times that the passenger opens, unwraps and rewraps the Lulav including Hadassim & Aravos) & Esrog. In order to avoid delays, the Lulav and Esrog should be easily accessible."

  "We have been asked to remind all travelers to have all of their travel documents well prepared and up to date. People who are traveling by car, with birth certificates and not passports, should please ensure that these are original or a very clear, legible copy. Please be aware that inspectors will process passengers as quickly as they can, but delays could occur with unclear documentation."

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  Israeli Agriculture Ministry: One May Not Bring Arba Minim Into Israel - still relevant

  August 23, 2018 from the Yeshiva World:

  The Israeli "Ministry of Agriculture reminds travelers that one may not bring arba minim into the country for Sukkos."
  "As in past years, agents assigned to border control will offer a person bringing arba minim with a personal (non-commercial) product made in Israel, including hadassim, aravos, and of course, a lulav. It should be noted that the passengers are permitted to bring one esrog per passenger."
  "The Ministry of Agriculture makes it clear that those interested in bringing the arba minim to Israel in advance should contact the Plant Protection & Inspection Services of the Ministry of Agriculture."

Esrog Crisis Averted in Britain

September 24, 2019 from Hamodia:

"An esrog crisis was averted over the last few days, thanks to co-ordination between the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Board of Deputies and leading esrog-importer Mr Stephen Colman."

"The first batch of esrogim, some 600 fruits, was seized at Manchester Airport by Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) officials, as there are now new stricter regulations about importing citrus fruits with stalks on them. The residual stalk (the uketz, called a peduncle in English) must not be more than 2mm long, which is much shorter than is usually the case."

"The Board of Deputies, working with the importer, DEFRA and APHA, suggested that the seized esrogim could be retained at the airport and then taken to a Manchester shul, where they could be trimmed to meet the new requirements before being distributed further. It has been arranged that other importers, who were similarly unaware of the new regulations, will be able to have their esrogim sent to a specified location, such as a shul, on the condition that the fruits are destroyed after Yom Tov."

"It is extremely difficult to cut the stalk to the required 2mm length when taking it off the tree, and that by trimming it further there is a risk of making the esrog passul. The current arrangement to import esrogim under license is only for this year, so new arrangements will have to be made in time for next Sukkos."

Information from from Mrs. Rosskamm, The Guide to Chodosh, Hot Line 718-305-5133. Email: yherman20@gmail.com

September 18, 2019 from Mrs. Rosskamm:

"We are sorry to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Herman, the wife of Rabbi Yosef Herman Z"L.
The Levaya will take place today at 11:00 in Bais Tefila, 2 Maplewood Lane, Monsey, NY
Shiva information will be sent out as soon as it is available.

The Levaya in Eretz Yisroel will take place on Thursday at 1:30 in Shamgar.

R' Yekusiel Herman will be sitting Shiva in Israel at Rachov Chizkiyahu Shabtai 11/17, Ramot, Jerusalem

R' Moshe Herman will be sitting on Thursday in Israel at Rachov Chizkiyahu Shabtai 11/17, Ramot Jerusalem, and starting Motzei Shabbos until Wednesday in Kew Gardens at 122-25 Metropolitan Ave.

Mrs. Tzippy Eherman will be sitting shiva in Monsey at 15 Cameo Ridge Road until Sunday when she will be sitting in Kew Gardens.

Mrs. Chany Katz will be in Monsey through Thursday. She will be sitting Friday and Motzei Shabbos in Flatbush at 1515 E 13th St, and starting Sunday Morning in Queens

Mrs. Sury Cohen is sitting Shiva in Monsey and will be sitting in Queens starting Sunday at 122-25 Metropolitan Ave.

September 16, 2019 from the cRc Twitter feed:

"In short, cRc no longer recommends fencing material (e.g. from Home Depot) for #schach as we have found a reasonable chance this may result in not kosher schach. We suggest traditional schach material, e.g. bamboo poles, tree branches, mats specifically certified for sukkah-use."

"Schach fencing mats bought previously when approved may be used, but make sure shade exceeds sunlight - i.e. add more schach (e.g. more layers of these mats, bamboo poles, or tree branches) to ensure halachic requirement is met of 'more shade than sunlight.'"