Keep Your Money Safe and Spot Holiday Scams
This time of year, many people are shopping online, waiting for packages and giving to charities. Unfortunately, scammers find ways to steal your personal information or money along the way. While scams are typical year round, know the different tactics used to target you during the holiday season.
Package delivery scams. Scammers send fake voicemails or text messages that direct you to give out personal information or pay money to receive a package.
Charity scams. Get charitable donation tips from the Federal Trade Commission. Learn how you can find a legitimate organization and spot imposters.
International shopping scams. Did you have an issue buying or selling online to someone outside the United States? See how you can file an international complaint online.
Brushing scams. Brushing scams happen when a scammer sends you a package with items you didn’t request. The scammer will then ask you to write a product review online and use personal information from your review to dupe other shoppers.
The following GAIN reports were released on December 6, 2021.
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Austria: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in a Small Farm in Lower AustriaOn November 25, the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety confirmed the first on-farm case of avian influenza this fall. The highly pathogenic H5N1 type was found on a small chicken farm in the province Lower Austria. The chickens from the affected flock either died or were culled under official supervision and the farm has been closed. As a result of this outbreak, the Ministry of Health, in agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and the federal states, issued an ordinance with the requirement to keep poultry inside within the defined risk areas.
China: China State Administration of Market Regulation Proposed Amendments to E-Commerce LawChina’s market regulatory agency, the State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR), proposed amendments to the existing e-commerce law that would impose harsher penalties on e-commerce platform operators who fail to appropriately respond to intellectual property protection violations through their platforms. This report provides summaries and an unofficial translation of the proposed amendments to Articles 43 and 84. At the time of publication of this report, there were no additional proposed amendments.
China: China Notifies ASF in HainanOn December 1, 2021, China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) notified the U.S. Embassy in Beijing that on November 10, 2021, China detected African Swine Fever (ASF) in Hainan Province. China is continuing to monitor the situation.
China: China Notifies FMD in Qinghai ProvinceOn December 1, 2021, China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) notified the U.S. Embassy in Beijing that on October 31, 2021, China detected foot and mouth disease (FMD) in yak cattle in Qinghai Province. China is continuing to monitor the situation.
China: China Notifies HPAI in HebeiOn December 1, 2021, China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) notified the U.S. Embassy in Beijing that on November 30, 2021, China detected HPAI (H5N1 subtype) in Hebei Province. China notified the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) of the occurrence on November 30, 2021.
China: Cotton and Products UpdateMarketing Year 21/22 cotton imports are expected to decline from Post’s previous forecast to 2.3 MMT on lower consumption, higher yarn imports, and high domestic and international cotton prices. Production is forecast downward from previous reporting to 5.85 million metric tons due to reduced acreage in the Xinjiang region, which is expected to account for 92 percent of production in MY 21/22.
China: Market Overview - Alfalfa Hay and Other Forages With the expansion of China’s dairy industry in recent years, demand for forages continues to increase. Demand in China for U.S. alfalfa hay is growing steadily. In the same period, Australian oat grass exports to China experienced a sharp decline. Non-tariff barriers and bilateral relationships with China are a growing concern among Chinese importers and users of forage products.
China: Powdered Infant Formula Good Manufacturing Practices Draft Standard Notified On November 17, 2021, China notified the National Food Safety Standard: Good Manufacturing Practice for Powdered Infant Formula (GB23790-xxxx) to the WTO SPS Committee as G/SPS/N/CHN/1159/Add.2. This Draft Standard will replace the existing National Food Safety Standard: Good Manufacturing Practice for Powdered Infant Formula Food (GB23790-2010). Comments on the measure may be submitted to China’s SPS Enquiry Point (
sps@customs.gov.cn) by January 16, 2022. There is currently no published date for implementation of the final standard. This report contains an unofficial English translation of the draft standard.
China: Snack Food Market OverviewAs incomes rise and consumption increases, China’s snack food market is developing rapidly. Snack food sales reached $74 billion in 2021, an increase of 7.9 percent over the previous year. The COVID-19 pandemic has driven consumers to pay more attention to health and nutrition. Consequently, products with nutritional and immune-boosting functions are becoming increasingly popular. Additionally, improvements in the quality and packaging of domestic snack food products have led to gradual market share increase. Japan is the United States’ primary competitor in the China snack foods market.
India: Oilseeds and Products UpdateIndia’s soybean production estimate for marketing year (MY) 2020/2021 (October-September) is revised upward to 11.8 million metric tons (MMT) on account of higher acreage and better than expected yields. Likewise, peanut production is also revised upward to 7 MMT due to good monsoon performance in August and September in Gujarat. The Indian government’s decision to allow for imports of soybean meal (for a temporary period) was partially successful in checking soaring soybean and animal feed domestic prices. Soybean meal imports between August to mid-November period stood at 0.65 MMT. India’s poultry industry associations are now petitioning the government to extend the timeline until March 31, 2022, to fulfil their quotas. Successive revisions in import duties for palm oil have helped increase the share of palm oil to 63 percent in India’s edible oil basket, compared to 55 percent last year.
Mexico: Update - Organic Products Imported into Mexico before LPO Enforcement Deadline are SafeThis report serves as an update to “Reminder - New Organic Product Requirements to Take Effect in January 2022” (GAIN report no. MX2021-0072) and to disseminate organic compliance information, as shared by the National Service for Food and Agricultural Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) . On November 30, 2021, SENASICA officials held a seminar to outline the work done in 2021 ahead of January 2022 enforcement of Mexico’s Organic Products Law (LPO). Among the topics covered were stream of commerce, new uses of the organic seal, and a review of the accreditation/certification process.
Mexico: Mexico's 2022 Budget Increases Agriculture Allocation - Mostly for Small Farmers On November 10, 2021, the Mexican legislature approved the 2022 federal government budget, allocating roughly US $2.7 billion to the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), an increase of 13 percent over SADER’s 2021 budget. Approximately 70 percent of the increase is for fertilizer subsidies (+172 percent) and government milk purchases (+ 85 percent), two of President Lopez Obrador’s priority programs. SADER’s 2022 budget allocation reflects the current administration’s focus on improving the livelihoods of small producers in Mexico’s southern and central regions rather than providing support to large-scale producers.
Taiwan: Taiwan Temporarily Lowers Tariffs on Beef and WheatOn November 30, Taiwan announced that it will immediately lower tariffs on imported wheat and beef as a countermeasure against rising consumer prices, effective until March 31, 2022. The tariff on beef will be lowered from NTD 10/kg (USD 0.36/kg) to NTD 5/kg (USD 0.18/kg). The tariff on wheat, normally 6.5 percent, will be reduced to zero.
Thailand: Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Country ReportThis report includes updates in Section I Food Laws: 1.3.1 Pre-marketing Control; Section II Labeling Requirements: 2.9 Novel Food Labeling; Section VI Other Requirements Regulations and Registration Measures: 6.1 Testing Requirements for Alcohol Beverages; Section VII Other Specific Standards: Section 7.5 Specific Import Control on Animals and Animal Products, Section 7.9 Specific Import Control on Fruits and Vegetables (additional on approved list of production certificates), and Section 7.10 Novel Food (Plant-based meat).
United Kingdom: Situation and Outlook UpdateFive months into MY2021/22 the situation and outlook for the UK grain sector is starting to become clearer. Total feed grain consumption is forecast to decline year-on-year, mainly due to reduced demand from compounders. Supply chain challenges and high input costs are leading to herd rationalization. Food, Seed and Industrial (FSI) usage of wheat is forecast higher than previously, supported by usage in the ethanol sector. As well as a switch back to domestic wheat from imported corn in MY2021/22, the UK’s second biofuel plant is expected to reopen shortly. The sector is experiencing increased demand due to the move to E10 fuel in September.
Vietnam: Vietnam Updates List of Imported Products under MARD Specialized Inspection On September 20, 2021, Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) issued Circular 11/2021 on the promulgation of Harmonized System (HS) codes for imported and exported goods subject to its management. This Circular lists the HS codes for all imported and exported goods subject to MARD’s specialized inspection including terrestrial animals and animal products, plant products, aquatic animals and aquatic animal products, and feed ingredients. MARD removed products with HS Codes 19, 21, 22 from the list of products subject to terrestrial animal quarantine inspection and processed fish products including smoked, salted, brined, and heat-treated products from the list of aquatic animals and their products subject to quarantine. This Circular entered into force on November 6, 2021, replacing Circular 15/2018 dated October 29, 2018. This report provides an unofficial translation of the Circular and Appendix I, Sections 1,5,9, and 14.
For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit
gain.fas.usda.gov/.
Here's a quick update on what's coming up to keep you in the loop as you start your week.
The Week Ahead
UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAUToday is Tuesday, December 7, 2021 and we remember the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. We're sending you a quick update on what's coming up to keep you in the loop as you start your week.
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
80 years ago today: The Empire of Japan attacked the military installations in and around Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The 2-hour attack killed 103 civilians and 2,335 military personnel, including 2,008 Navy seamen (1,177 from the USS Arizona alone), 109 Marines, and 218 Army personnel. Japanese pilots and submariners damaged 19 ships and damaged or destroyed more than 300 aircraft.
Learn MoreAmerica Counts Stories You May Be Interested In:
How Do We Support America’s Veterans?Veterans and Those They Left Behind: What Benefits Do They Receive?Who Are the Nation’s Veterans?Post-9/11 Veterans More Likely Than Nonveterans to be Employed
Happy Birthday Delaware!
Today, we celebrate Delaware's 234th anniversary of statehood.
Explore DataDid You Know?
Delaware joined the Union on December 7, 1787, as the first state.
Delaware's population increased by 92,014 from 2010-2020.
The State Bird is the Blue Hen.
Find more fun facts and explore 2020 Census results on
Delaware's state profile page from the America Counts team.
2020 Census ResultsWe've got more state anniversaries coming up this month:
Week of December 5: Mississippi,
IndianaWeek of December 12: Pennsylvania, Alabama, New Jersey
Week of December 26: Iowa and Texas
Next Week: The Opportunity Project Summit
December 13-15:
TOP Summit will include three afternoons of keynotes, lightning talks, technology demos, the announcement of $300,000 in prizes from the
Open Data for Good Grand Challenge, and more. As we honor the remarkable accomplishments of civic tech innovators this year, we’ll also look ahead and define new ways for forward-thinkers from all sectors to connect and collaborate.
RSVPHelp us spread the word about Census Bureau data.
Share this on social media or forward it to a friend.
Share ThisCensus Academy Webinars This Week
Today:
Improved Navigation on data.census.gov @ 2pm ET
Today:
Directorate Defense Trade Control IT Modernization Discussion on Submitting Amendments @ 2pm ET
December 9:
Upcoming 2020 Census Data ProductsCensus Academy ResourcesReleases This Week
December 7:
Quarterly Financial Report: Manufacturing, Mining, Wholesale Trade, and Selected Service IndustriesDecember 7:
Quarterly Financial Report: Retail TradeDecember 8:
Business Formation StatisticsDecember 9:
Monthly Wholesale Trade: Sales and InventoriesDecember 10:
Quarterly Services SurveySee Economic IndicatorsAbout the Census Bureau
We serve as the nation’s leading provider of quality data about its people and economy. The Census Bureau is the federal government's largest statistical agency. We are a statistical organization focused on data. Policy-makers, businesses, and the public use our information to make far-reaching decisions.
