Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Department of Energy is allowing manufacturers subject to certain certification requirements for consumer residential products to remedy deficiencies in their certification submissions and/or to certify covered products. DOE will refrain from initiating an enforcement action for any violations of 10 CFR 430.62 that are remedied prior to 30 days from December 9, 2009. (FR Pub 12/09/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-29356.pdf)
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1. 30-Day Grace Period From DOE's Enforcement of Energy-Efficiency Certification for Residential Products
2. DHS Reopens Comment Period on Marianas Transitional Worker Classification Rule
The Department of Homeland Security is reopening and extending the public comment period to January 8, 2010, for its interim rule (which is not yet in effect due to a court injunction) entitled ''Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Transitional Worker Classification.'' (FR Pub 12/09/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-29331.pdf)
3. China Bans Import/Export of Ractopamine, Approved in U.S. for Use in Pig Feed
China's Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs have announced that effective December 9, 2009, China will ban both the import and export of ractopamine and ractopamine hydrochloride, which China describes as stimulant drugs used as feed additives for pigs raised for their meat. According to a MOFCOM official, the U.S. and Australia have approved ractopamine, but China now joins the European Union which has banned its use. (News release, dated 12/09/09, available at http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/commonnews/200912/20091206659193.html)
4. FMCSA Meeting on Unified Carrier Registration Plan
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors will meet on January 12, 2010 in San Diego to continue their work in developing and implementing the Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Agreement. (FR Pub 12/09/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-29464.pdf)
5. ICE Seizes Rare Italian Sports Car for Violating Customs and Environmental Laws
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents served a seizure warrant at a classic car showroom in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., where they took possession of an Italian sports car valued at more than $700,000. Customs documents submitted when the car entered the country stated that it was worth $125,000, even though the car originally sold new for approximately $600,000. The import form and related documentation also stated the vehicle was being brought in for temporary use, specifically maintenance and repairs, and had to be exported within one year. The car also does not comply with U.S. environmental and transportation safety regulations. (News release, dated 12/07/09, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0912/091207sanjuan.htm)
6. Intermediary and Executives Indicted for Violation of FCPA in Foreign Bribery Scheme
The Justice Department reports that two Florida executives of a Miami-Dade County-based telecommunications company, the president of Florida-based Telecom Consulting Services Corp., and two former Haitian government officials were charged in an indictment for their alleged roles in a foreign bribery, wire fraud and money laundering scheme. (News release, dated 12/07/09, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/December/09-crm-1307.html)
7. Ferrero-Waldner Takes Over as EU Trade Commissioner, Ashton Becomes EU Foreign Policy Head
On December 1, 2009, Benita Ferrero-Waldner took over the post of European Commissioner for Trade from Catherine Ashton, who is now serving as the EU's new High Representative for Foreign Policy. Press release on Ashton's new appointment is available here. (Notice, dated 11/26/09, available at http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/ferrero-waldner/)
8. CBSA Statement of Reasons for Preliminary Determination on Certain Oil Country Tubular Goods from China
Canada Border Services Agency has posted its Statement of Reasons for its November 23, 2009 preliminary determinations of dumping and subsidizing regarding certain oil country tubular goods from China. (Statement, dated 12/08/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/i-e/ad1385/ad1385-i09-pd-eng.html)
9. APHIS Animal Product PPQ Manual Updated
On December 7, 2009, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) 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 12/07/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/apm.shtml)
10. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Import PPQ Manual Updated
On December 3, 2009, APHIS updated its Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Import PPQ Manual. The manual lists by country fruits and vegetables that are admissible into the United States. It includes a description of methods for sampling and inspecting selected fruits and vegetables. It also contains pictorial identification guides, and a glossary for common and scientific names of fruits and vegetables. (Manual, updated 12/03/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/fv.pdf)
11. Updated List of Instructions and U.S. Plants for Exporting Meat and Poultry to Foreign Countries
FSIS has provided updated information for the export of U.S. meat and poultry to the following countries:
Russia (Pork) Plant List (December 8, 2009)
Mexico Plan List (December 8, 2009)
12. FSIS Issues Notices for its Inspection Personnel and Public
FSIS Directive 6910.1 (December 7, 2009). District Veterinary Medical Specialist (DVMS) - Work Methods - Revision 1
13. Revised FDA Import Alert
The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alert on the detention without physical examination of:
Animal Feeds, Other Than Pet Treats, Due To The Presence of Salmonella
14. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
India Grain and Feed Update - December 2009: Grain and Feed
China The China Horse Fair - A Market Snapshot: Livestock and Products
Argentina Fresh Deciduous Fruit Annual: 2009
China National Dairy Standard - Benzoic Acid: FAIRS Subject Report
Netherlands Benelux Potato Products Report Voluntary: Potatoes and Potato Products
India Weekly Highlights and Hot Bites No. 49: Agriculture in the News
China National Food Safety Standard - Arsenic: FAIRS Subject Report
Thailand Lock-Up Report: Rice Update
China National Dairy Standard - Lead: FAIRS Subject Report
China National Food Safety Standard - Flourine: FAIRS Subject Report
China National Food Safety Standard - Niacin: FAIRS Subject Report
China National Dairy Standard - Folic Acid: FAIRS Subject Report
China National Food Safety Standard - Aflatoxin: FAIRS Subject Report
Ireland EU Protein Purchases from U.S. Still Weak: Grain and Feed
China National Food Safety Standard - Trans Fatty Acids: FAIRS Subject Report
China National Food Safety Standard - Vitamin B12: FAIRS Subject Report
China National Dairy Standard - Canned Complementary Foods: FAIRS Subject Report
China National Dairy Standard - Good Manufacturing Practices for Powder: FAIRS Subject Report
Germany Is Greenpeace Leadership Changing Gears on Biotech?: Biotechnology
Mexico Avocado Annual: Mexican Avocado Production to Increase
Venezuela Recent news on food distribution and land seizure issues: Agricultural Situation
China National Dairy Standard - Formulas for Special Medical Purposes: FAIRS Subject Report
Turkey Exporter Guide Annual: 2009
Sweden Animal Welfare Problems in Swedish Pig Production: Livestock and Products
China National Dairy Standard - Infant Formulas: FAIRS Subject Report
China National Dairy Standard - Follow-up Formulas: FAIRS Subject Report
China National Dairy Standard - Whey Powders: FAIRS Subject Report
China National Dairy Standard - Processed Cheese: FAIRS Subject Report
China National Dairy Standard - Lactose: FAIRS Subject Report
China National Dairy Standard - Cream: FAIRS Subject Report
China National Dairy Standard - Cheese: FAIRS Subject Report
15. FMC Lists OTI Applications
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for ocean transportation intermediary licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:
| NVOCC/FF OTIApplicants: |
| ADP Logistics Corp. (IL) |
| St. John Logistics Inc. (NJ) |
| America's Trans-Logistics Inc. (FL) |
| Ocean Air Transport, Inc. dba SCM International (IL) |
| FF OTI Applicants: |
| Ameritrans Logistics, Inc. (TX) |
| OPM International Group LLC (FL) |
FMC notice (FR Pub 12/09/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-29366.pdf