The White House has posted a new report, "100 Recovery Act Projects that are Changing America,” which highlights some of the most innovative and effective Recovery Act projects across the U.S.
The American Apparel & Footwear Association issued a statement after the release of the Report to the President on the National Export Initiative on the Administration's plan to double U.S. exports by 2015. In the statement, AAFA notes that the plan is a solid step forward for U.S. trade policy, but that the U.S. cannot focus solely on exports to jumpstart the economy. AAFA emphasizes that imports play a valuable role in creating sustainable economic growth in the U.S.
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):
Seafood safety experts from the Food and Drug Administration and the University of Maryland Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN) are training 10 scientists from Bangladesh on how to eliminate health hazards from aquaculture -- the controlled production of seafood, much of which is exported to the United States.
The Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration is issuing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to review the U.S. Standards and grading procedures for procedures for rough rice, brown rice for processing, and milled rice under the U.S. Grain Standards Act, as numerous changes have occurred in the breeding and production practices of rice; the technology used to harvest, process, and test rice; and rice marketing since the standards were last revised. Comments are due by December 16, 2010.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced that delegations from the U.S. and Japan met September 14-15, 2010 for discussions on issues related to bilateral trade in beef and beef products. The discussions covered a wide array of technical topics related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), including: regulations and regulatory processes, risk assessment process for beef and beef products, and import inspection and border measures.
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has issued a new circular to provide the alcohol beverage industry with guidance and an explanation of TTB's policy on the voluntary recall of certain mislabeled or adulterated alcohol beverages (wines, malt beverages, and distilled spirits) from the marketplace.
The State Department announces a meeting of the Advisory Committee on International Postal and Delivery Services on October 19, 2010. The agenda of the meeting will include a review of the results of the April 2010 UPU Postal Operations Council, the major issues to arise at the November 2010 UPU Council of Administration, and other subjects related to international postal and delivery services of interest to Advisory Committee members and the public.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a proposed rule to amend the live animal export regulations by removing the list of designated ports of embarkation and their associated export inspection facilities. As a result of this rulemaking, those ports and facilities would henceforth be listed on the Internet rather than in the regulations, thus enabling APHIS to amend the list, when necessary, in a timelier manner and allowing greater flexibility in regulating animal exports. Comments are due by November 16, 2010.
On September 15, 2010, President Obama announced his intent to appoint the 30 individuals as members of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.