The Food Safety and Inspection Service reports that three Codex electronic working groups (eWG) will be meeting to discuss the evaluation of control systems for food exporters, hygiene recommendations for berry production, and discussion papers regarding the fruits Kava and Nonu.
Brian Feito
Brian Feito is Managing Editor of International Trade Today, Export Compliance Daily and Trade Law Daily. A licensed customs broker who spent time at the Department of Commerce calculating antidumping and countervailing duties, Brian covers a wide range of subjects including customs and trade-facing product regulation, the courts, antidumping and countervailing duties and Mexico and the European Union. Brian is a graduate of the University of Florida and George Mason University. He joined the staff of Warren Communications News in 2012.
Before the Senate Budget Committee, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stated on February 15, 2012 that the President is requesting $74 billion for DOT for fiscal year 2013, that will be paid for with saving achieved from ramping down overseas military operations. Included in DOT’s budget request is over $1 billion in FY 2013 for the NextGen air traffic control system and $4.8 billion over six years for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to ensure that commercial trucks and buses maintain high operational standards, while removing high-risk truck and bus companies and their drivers from operating.
On February 15, 2012, the Federal Maritime Commission announced that five compromise agreements have been reached for a total of $490,000 in civil penalties for alleged violations of the Shipping Act. The agreements were reached with eight non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) and related companies providing ocean transportation services.
The International Trade Commission has voted to institute an investigation of certain video displays and products using and containing same (337-TA-828).
The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has affirmed the International Trade Commission’s assessment of civil penalties against Ninestar1 for failure to comply with cease and desist orders and a consent order2 issued in the original investigation of certain ink cartridges and components thereof (337-TA-565).
The Federal Maritime Commission will hold a meeting on February 22, 2012, to receive staff recommendations and a draft proposed rule regarding the Rules of Practice and Procedure under 46 CFR Part 502, hear a staff briefing on economic and trade conditions, and discuss the Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) Licensing Requirement.
Effective February 6, 2012, the Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued two general licenses maintaining authorizations that would have been rendered invalid by the recent Executive Order blocking property of the government of Iran and Iranian financial institutions Including the Central Bank of Iran (EO 13599). General License A authorizes almost all transactions that are allowed under existing general and specific licenses, while General License B authorizes non-commercial, personal remittances.
The Bureau of Industry and Security announced that its Materials Processing Equipment Technical Advisory Committee will be holding a partially open meeting on March 20, 2012, in Washington, DC. The open session will include discussions on results from the last, and proposals for the next, Wassenaar Meeting, and reports on proposed and recently issued changes to the Export Administration Regulations. The open session will be accessible via teleconference to 20 participants on a first come, first serve basis. Requests to join the conference are due by March 13, 2012.
The International Trade Administration has made a preliminary affirmative antidumping determination that large power transformers from Korea are being, or are likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value (A-580-867). The ITA found preliminary AD rates of 21.79% to 38.07%, which are officially effective as of February 16, 2012. U.S. Customs is expected to implement these AD cash deposit/bond requirements soon.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service reports that the United States Codex Office conducted its first colloquium with Coordinating Committee on Asia member countries in Bangkok, Thailand, January 31-February 2. The colloquium provided an opportunity for an exchange of views between the U.S. Delegates and 30 Delegates from the region in preparation for the upcoming meetings of the committees on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF), General Principles (CCGP), and Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF). The colloquium was attended by delegates from the following countries: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Thailand.