Officials from the U.S. and Israel met on October 18, 2010 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the signing of the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement (IFTA).
On October 15, 2010, APHIS updated its CITES I-II-III Timber Species Manual. This Manual provides CBP and PPQ personnel with guidelines for the import, re-export, violation, seizure, and forfeiture of CITES Appendix I, Appendix II, and Appendix III protected timber species, and is useful for those regulated by the Lacey Act Amendments. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/12/10 news, 10100835, for more detailed summary of an earlier October update.)
The Environmental Protection Agency is inviting small businesses to participate in an advocacy review panel focusing on formaldehyde in order to assist in its implementation of regulations for the new Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act, enacted in July 2010. Nominations must be received by November 2, 2010.
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):
The International Trade Commission has issued Federal Register notice that it has instituted an investigation, "The Economic Effects of Significant U.S. Import Restraints: Seventh Update; Special Topic: Global Supply Chains" (Inv. No. 332-325), as requested by the U.S. Trade Representative.
The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued a October 2010 report on the 2011 export market and trade for broiler meat (chicken), beef, and pork.
In President Obama's weekly address on October 16, 2010, he laid out a policy agenda of offering tax incentives to businesses that hire new employees, making the research and experimentation tax credit permanent and providing a tax cut for clean energy manufacturing to encourage domestic hiring and investment. He also wants to close tax loopholes worth billions of dollars that encourage companies to invest overseas.
The Coast Guard has issued a final rule, effective January 1, 2011, to amend its regulations in 46 CFR 97 and 148 to allow use of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code as an equivalent form of compliance for all domestic and foreign vessels operating in U.S. navigable waters, and to expand the list of solid hazardous materials authorized for bulk transportation by vessel.
The International Trade Commission has announced that its annual report on shifts in U.S. merchandise trade during 2009 has been posted to its website. It is also providing an opportunity to submit comments relating to the 2010 report and possible contents of the 2011 report. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/10/10 news, 10091017, for BP summary of the ITC's "Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade 2009.")
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN report: