Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Government Accountability Office has issued its report to congressional requestors entitled "Aviation Security: Better Data and Targeted FAA Efforts Needed to Identify and Address Safety Issues of Small Air Cargo Carriers." (Report, dated June 2009, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09614.pdf)
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1. GAO Report on Small Air Cargo Carrier Safety
2. USTR, Commerce Secretary Call on China to Revoke Mandatory Internet Filtering Software
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Locke and U.S. Trade Representative Kirk sent a joint letter to their counterparts in China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) urging China to revoke a proposed rule (Circular 226) that would mandate that all computers produced and sold in China pre-install a widely-criticized Chinese Internet filtering program called Green Dam. This proposed measure is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2009. (Press Release, dated 06/24/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/june/secretary-gary-locke-and-ustr-ron-kirk-call-china-rev)
3. U.S. and Venezuela Agree to Resume Full Diplomatic Representation
The State Department has issued a press release announcing that through an exchange of diplomatic notes, the U.S. and Venezuela have agreed to rescind the declarations of persona non grata issued in September 2008 and return the U.S. Ambassador and the Venezuelan Ambassador to their respective posts in Caracas and Washington. (Press release, dated 06/25/09, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/06a/125409.htm.)
4. NAFTA Partners Write Letters on Making Trade & Environmental Protection Mutually Supportive
USTR Kirk joined his NAFTA counterparts in writing to the environment ministers from the U.S., Canada and Mexico to encourage greater cooperation between the NAFTA Free Trade Commission (FTC) and the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) on working to ensure that the trade and environmental policies of each of the three countries are mutually supportive. (Press Release, dated 06/25/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/june/trade-ministers-call-greater-cooperation-making-trade)
5. EU Calls for Transparency, Int'l Cooperation in Internet Governance
The European Commission has called for more transparency and multilateral accountability in the governance of the Internet, and proposes that the European Union initiate further discussions with international partners. Currently, the private and U.S.-based Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is responsible for coordinating key elements of the Internet. Since the bilateral agreement between ICANN and the U.S. government expires in September, the EC would like to see the Internet operated within clear guidelines defined through an international dialogue. (Notice, dated 06/18/09, available at http://www.eurunion.org/eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3418&Itemid=58 )
6. Federal Government Releases $140 Million for Transportation
Transportation Secretary LaHood announced that federal funds of nearly $140 million had been released to assist 249 transportation improvement projects in 36 states, through the "Transportation, Community, and System Preservation" Program, in which states, local and Tribal governments may apply for federal funding to support methods of increasing transportation efficiency, roadway improvements and research. (Notice, dated 06/24/09, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2009/fhwa1609.htm)
7. FSIS Directive on Pre-Stamping Imported Products
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted a directive providing instructions for import inspection personnel on how they are to verify that the requirements for the pre-stamping of imported meat and poultry products are met, and the associated procedures are followed. (Directive, dated 06/24/09, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/9500.4.pdf)
8. FDA Corrects Bottled Water Final Rule
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a notice announcing a correction to its final rule amending the bottled water regulations, effective December 1, 2009, to make a number of changes, including requiring that bottled water manufacturers test source water for total coliform, etc. The final rule was published with an inadvertent error in the "Analysis of Impacts" section. FDA's notice corrects that error. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/01/09 news, 09060199, for BP summary of the FR notice) (D/N FDA-2008-N-0446, FR Pub 06/25/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-14981.pdf)
9. President Continues North Korea National Emergency
The President has announced that he is continuing for one year the national emergency with respect to North Korea declared by Executive Order 13466 to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the U.S. constituted by the current existence and risk of the proliferation of weapons-usable fissile material on the Korean Peninsula. (FR Pub 06/25/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-15270.pdf)
10. U.S. and Spain Sign Letter of Intent on Security Research Cooperation
The Department of Homeland Security Secretary and Spanish Interior Minister signed a Letter of Intent to expand science and technology cooperation in order to enhance security and combat transnational threats. The Letter of Intent promotes collaboration of research, development, testing, evaluations and operations between the U.S. and Spain to benefit both countries' capabilities to prepare for, prevent, respond to and recover from all disasters. (DHS press release, dated 06/24/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1245877897664.shtm.)
11. FSIS Updates Plant Lists, Eligible Foreign Establishments
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted updated lists of U.S. plants approved to export meat and poultry to Japan (cold storage facilities) andMexico. In addition, FSIS updated its list of eligible foreign establishments in Canadaand Israel eligible to export meat and/or poultry to the U.S.
12. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
China Agricultural Situation: Draft Regulation on Risk Assessments