The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is revising its notice concerning the fiscal year 2011 tariff-rate quota allocations of raw cane sugar, refined and special sugar, and sugar-containing products. USTR is revising the effective date of that notice to September 1, 2010 (from October 1, 2010). According to USTR sources, the effective date has been revised in order to make the FY 2011 raw sugar cane TRQ allocations available early. (USDA recently announced that the FY 2011 raw cane sugar TRQ would open one month early.) (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/20/10 news, 10082023, for BP summary of USDA' s announcement of the September 1 raw cane sugar TRQ opening.)
The Environmental Protection Agency on August 27, 2010, denied a petition calling for a ban on the production and distribution of lead hunting ammunition. EPA states it reached this decision because the agency does not have the legal authority to regulate this type of product under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) -- nor is the agency seeking such authority. The petition was filed under TSCA, which requires the agency to review and respond within 90 days.
On August 25, 2010, 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.
On August 25, 2010, stakeholders representing importers, exporters, motor carriers, ports, and marine terminal operators (MTOs) reconvened at an industry working group meeting, co-chaired by PierPASS and Ability-TriModal, to continue discussions on potential solutions to limit congestion outside the marine terminal gates at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The first working group meeting took place July 29.
International Trade Administration announces that its Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Committee (ETTAC) will hold its quarterly meeting on September 21, 2010 to discuss environmental technologies industry competitiveness issues, the National Export Initiative, and general Committee administrative items.
A government agency is seeking comments on the following information collection for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notice for specific details):
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued updated versions of its list of Canadian (August 24, 2010) firms eligible to export meat and poultry to the U.S.
On August 25, 2010, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Canadian Border Agricultural Clearance Manual. This Manual serves as a guide for authorized Federal officers at ports of entry along the Canadian Border.
On August 25, 2010, the U.S.-China Business Council sent a letter to President Obama regarding the September 2009 imposition of Section 421 additional duties on certain tires from China. The letter urges the Administration to act cautiously in considering further Section 421 tariffs on other imports from China. According to the letter, the USCBC has found no evidence that the tariffs have had a positive effect on U.S. jobs and suspects that the tariffs have had an overall negative effect on U.S. consumers. The USCBC concludes its letter by requesting an International Trade Commission report on the effects of the Section 421 additional duties imposed on certain Chinese tires on U.S. consumers and job creation. USCBC issues brief available here.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation has publish a report that identifies countries that are “candidate countries” for Millennium Challenge Account assistance during fiscal year 2011.