Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. DHS Announces Additional Funding for SW Border Security

On August 11, 2009, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano announced an additional $30 million in Operation Stonegarden grants to support security initiatives along the Southwest border - funds that will enhance DHS' capabilities to coordinate with state, local and tribal law enforcement in order to effectively deter violence, enforce immigration laws and combat illegal trafficking. (Press release, dated 08/11/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1250005826355.shtm.)

2. Japan to Extend and Reduce Byrd Amendment Sanctions on U.S. Products

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry has announced the extension for another year of Japan's countermeasures in retaliation for U.S. disbursements of antidumping and countervailing duty revenues under the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 (aka Byrd Amendment). However, as the funds distributed by the U.S. during the last year have been reduced, Japan's countermeasures for fiscal year 2009 will be reduced to an additional duty of 9.6% on two items, ball bearings and certain tapered roller bearings. (Press Release, posted 08/07/09, available at http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/data/20090807_01.html)

3. USTR Kirk Visits Senegal to Discuss Trade

U.S. Trade Representative Kirk has arrived in Dakar, Senegal. While in Dakar, Kirk will meet with Senegalese officials and a group of AGOA exporters to discuss a range of trade issues, including improving Senegal's performance under AGOA and the Doha round of trade talks. (Press Release, dated 08/10/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/august/ambassador-ron-kirk-arrives-dakar-senegal)

4. AES Broadcast on New Country of Destination Menu in AESDirect

The Census Bureau has issued an Automated Export System broadcast announcing that it has implemented a new Country of Destination drop-down menu in AESDirect. Filers will no longer have the ability to use the lookup feature to search for the Country of Destination or to manually enter a two-character ISO Country of Destination Code. To select the Country of Destination filers will use the drop-down menu and locate the complete Country of Destination name. Filers should click on the Country name to select it. (AES Broadcast 2009036, dated 08/10/09, available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.)

5. Treasury Designates North Korean Bank Under WMD Executive Order

On August 11, 2009, the Treasury Department designated the Korea Kwangson Banking Corp. under Executive Order 13382, which freezes the assets of proliferators of WMD and their supporters and prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with them, thereby isolating them from the U.S. financial and commercial systems. (Press release TG-260, dated 08/11/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg260.htm.)

6. FDA Corrects CFR for ODS Epinephrine

The Food and Drug Administration is revising 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, to list epinephrine in Sec. 2.125 on the use of ozone-depleting substances in foods, drugs, devices, or cosmetics. (FR Pub 08/11/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-19297.pdf)

7. FSIS Announces Codex Meeting on Fresh Fruit, Vegetables

The Food, Safety and Inspection Service and the Agricultural Marketing Service are sponsoring a public meeting in Washington, D.C. on September 17, 2009. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the 15th Session of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. (D/N FSIS-2009-0025, FR Pub 08/11/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-19117.pdf)

8. Producers and Importers Vote to Implement Amendments to Mushroom Order

Mushroom producers and importers have voted to implement proposed changes to the Mushroom Promotion Research, and Consumer Information Order. The amendments reapportion membership of the Mushroom Council to reflect shifts in U.S. fresh mushroom production, as well as add language to the powers and duties section of the order. (News Release, dated 08/07/09, available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateU&navID=&page=Newsroom&resultType=Details&dDocName=STELPRDC5078690&dID=117108&wf=false&description=MushroomProducersandImportersVotetoImplementAmendmentstoMushroom)

9. APHIS Animal Product PPQ Manual Updated

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued an August 10, 2009 updated version of the Plant Protection and Quarantine Animal Product Manual. This Manual provides the background, procedures, and regulatory actions to enforce the regulations governing the import and export of animals, animal products, and animal by-products. (Manual, updated 08/10/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/apm.shtml)

10. APHIS PPQ Manual for Agricultural Clearance Updated

APHIS has posted an August 5, 2009 version of its PPQ manual for agricultural clearance, formerly known as Airport Maritime Operations Manual, which provides CBP personnel working at airport and maritime locations with the guidelines, directions, and policy for clearing carriers and passengers/crew and controlling garbage and cargo. (Manual, updated 08/05/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/mac.shtml)

11. APHIS Miscellaneous and Processed Products PPQ Manual Updated

APHIS has issued an August 6, 2009 version of its Miscellaneous and Processed Products PPQ manual, used for regulating imported items that are processed and are not intended for propagation. (Manual, updated 08/06/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/miscellaneous.pdf)

12. APHIS Postentry Quarantine PPQ Manual for State Inspectors Updated

APHIS has issued an August 7, 2009 version of its Postentry Quarantine PPQ Manual for State Inspectors. This manual covers procedures for conducting PEQ tasks beginning with the request to approve a growing site and ending with the release or refusal of the plant material. (Manual, updated 08/07/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/domestic/downloads/postentry.pdf)

13. Agency Seeks Comments on Information Collections

Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):

Agency Information Collection Comments Due