Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Senate Confirms Rob Portman as Director of OMB

2. APHIS Final Rule Permits Importation of Peppers from Korea Under Certain Conditions

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule, effective June 21, 2006, which allows the importation of peppers from Korea if, as a condition of entry, they are grown in approved insect-proof, pest-free greenhouses and packed in pest-exclusionary packinghouses. In addition, the peppers have to be safeguarded against pest infestation during their movement from the production site to the packinghouse and from the packinghouse to the continental U.S. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/27/06 news, 06012799 6, for BP summary of the proposed rule.) (D/N 05-068-2, FR Pub 05/22/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-4718.pdf )

3. President Delegates Functions Relating to Import Restrictions on Iraqi Antiquities

The President has issued a memorandum that assigns certain functions, contained in the Emergency Protection for Iraqi Cultural Antiquities Act of 2004, that impose import restrictions on certain Iraqi antiquities to the Secretary of State. The memorandum directs the Secretary of State to consult with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the heads of other departments, as appropriate. (FR Pub 05/17/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-4658.pdf )

4. TTB Wholesaler/Importer Seminar to be Held August 17th in Boston

Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has posted to its website a notice announcing a 2006 TTB Wholesaler/Importer Seminar scheduled for August 17, 2006 in Boston, MA. Among other things, the topics of the seminar include original/amended applications, labeling (COLAs), ownership changes, trade practices, etc. Although admission is free, TTB notes that registration is required and limited seating is available. (TTB seminar notice and agenda available at www.ttb.treas.gov)

5. Recent CPSC Press Releases on Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued separate press releases (dated 04/01/06 - 04/30/06) announcing that the following companies, in cooperation with the CPSC, are voluntarily recalling the products listed below. Due to the large number of recalls issued, this is Part I of a two-part series of summaries. (Press releases available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelapr06.html)

Code Legend (based on CPSC notices): D - Distributor, I - Importer, M - Manufacturer, N/A - Not Applicable, R - Retailer, W - Wholesaler, A - Agent.