Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
On February 3, 2009, Senator Dorgan and six other Senators sent a letter to the new Secretary of Agriculture expressing concern with loopholes in the USDA's country-of-origin (COOL) labeling rules which allow meatpackers to put a multiple country of origin label on products that are exclusively U.S. products as well as those that are foreign. The Senators conclude their letter by asking the Agriculture Secretary to revise the COOL rules to close the loopholes. (Letter, dated 02/03/09, available at http://dorgan.senate.gov/newsroom/extras/020309vilsack.pdf)
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1. Senators Ask Agriculture Secretary to Close Loopholes in COOL Rules
2. Senate Ends Debate, to Vote on Economic Stimulus Bill Substitute Amendment Feb 10th
On February 9, 2009, the Senate voted to end debate (i.e., invoked cloture) on a substitute amendment for H.R. 1 (i.e., a new version of H.R. 1), the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Economic Stimulus Bill). The Senate is scheduled to vote on the H.R. 1 substitute amendment on February 10, 2009. The Senate Appropriations Committee has posted the text of the "substitute amendment" as introduced, on its Web site. (Information available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r111:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20090209)
3. President Issues Memo on Appliance Efficiency Standards
President Obama has issued a Memorandum to the Secretary of Energy to expeditiously issue appliance energy standards for 15 product categories with respect to which the Energy Department had not yet met the deadlines specified in the EPCA, as required by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT). (FR Pub 02/09/09, available athttp://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-2890.pdf)
4. Federal Register Publication of HTS Correction for Peru and ATPDEA/ATPA
The U.S. Trade Representative is correcting the Harmonized Tariff Schedule by amending HTS General Notes 11(a) and 11(d) to reinstate Andean Trade Preference Act and the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act benefits for Peru, effective February 1, 2009. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/06/09 and 02/05/09 news, 09020615, and 09020510, for BP summaries.) (FR Pub 02/09/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-2637.pdf)
5. TSA Issues Updated TWIC Help Desk Information
The Transportation Security Administration has issued a Help Desk update to its Transportation Worker Identification Credential Web site. TSA states that for those who prefer to email the TWIC Help Desk directly regarding any questions about the TWIC program or TWIC card status after checking online, they can now email the Help Desk directly at TWIC.Helpdesk@gcrm.com. Please include the full name used to enroll, date of birth, and application ID to speed the processing of the request. (Update, posted 02/06/09, available at http://twicinformation.tsa.dhs.gov/twicinfo/index.jsp)
6. EPA Files Proposed Rule on Renewable Fuels with OMB
On February 6, 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency filed a proposed rule to increase the national requirement for renewable fuels to 36 billion gallons (of which 21 billion gallons is required to be advanced biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol derived from feedstock other than corn starch) for approval by the Office of Management and Budget. (OMB, posted 02/06/09, available by scrolling down to "EPA" at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoReviewSearch)
7. CDC Notice on Uniform Protocol for Measuring Nicotine in Smokeless Tobacco Products
The Centers for Disease Control has issued a notice that amends the uniform laboratory protocol to be used by persons who manufacture, package, or import smokeless tobacco products for their annual reports to the Health and Human Services Department on the quantity of nicotine in each product. The first such report of information is due June 30, 2009, with subsequent submissions due by March 31 of each year. (FR Pub 01/07/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-19.pdf)
8. FDA Revises Guidance on Certification of Fish/Products to Europe
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a revised Guidance for Industry on the Certification of Fish and Fishery Products for Export to the European Union and The European Free Trade Association. According to FDA, the guidance document has been revised to indicate that FDA now intends to stop issuing EU Export Certificates on June 17, 2009. (FR Pub 02/11/09, available at http://www.federalregister.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2009-02802_PI.pdf )
9. ICE Release on Indictment Against German Firm for Conspiracy to Export U.S. Origin Goods to Iran
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is announcing that two nationals of the Federal Republic of Germany and a German company were charged in U.S. District Court with conspiring to unlawfully procure from the U.S., and export to Iran, 26 pump parts in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), etc. (ICE release, dated 02/05/09, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0902/090205boston.htm )
10. BIS Release on Settlement of Charges of Unlicensed Exports of Chemicals and Metals to Taiwan
The Bureau of Industry and Security has announced that Well Being Enterprise Co., Ltd. of Taiwan has agreed to a twenty-year denial of export privileges and a $250,000 civil penalty to settle allegations that it violated the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) related to the unlicensed export of chemicals and metals from the U.S. to Taiwan. In three related cases, San Francisco-based Elecmat, Inc. has agreed to a twenty-year denial of export privileges, and Hui-Fen Chen and Theresa Chang have agreed to a twenty-year and two-year denial of export privileges, respectively. (BIS release, dated 02/06/09, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2009/bis_press02062009.htm)
11. USDA Issues Report on Declining Orange Consumption in Japan
The Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has posted a report entitled, "Declining Orange Consumption in Japan: Generational Changes or Something Else?" (Report, dated 02/09, available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR71/)
12. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
China Market Development Reports: Guangdong furniture industry faces strong head winds
EU-27 Livestock and Products: EC Orientation Debate on Animal Cloning
India FAIRS Subject Report: Proposed Amendment to the PFA Rule Relating to Food Additives
India FAIRS Subject Report: GOI Further Defers New Import Requirements for Raw Hides and Skins
Kenya Product Brief: Tomato Ketchup and Other Tomato Sauces
Kenya Product Brief: Tomato Ketchup and Other Tomato Sauces
Malta Exporter Guide: Road Map to Malta
Mexico Agricultural Situation: Instructions for the Entry of Paddy Rice into Mexico
Thailand Grain and Feed Rice Update: Cold Affects Yield
13. Canada's DFAIT to Update Softwood Lumber Exports Report Three Times Daily
Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) announced that in order to respond to requests from stakeholders, it will begin updating the Softwood Lumber Exports report three times daily at the following times: 8:00 AM, 4:00 PM and 11:55 PM Eastern Standard Time. (Notice, dated 02/06/09, available at http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/softwood-bois_oeuvre/update-swl-misajour-bdr.aspx?lang=eng)