On June 3, 2010, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and the Agricultural Marketing Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the enforcement responsibilities of each agency with respect to the labeling and advertising of alcohol beverages produced under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and for other purposes.
The Treasury Department has designated Anwar al-Aulaqi, a key leader for al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), a Yemen-based terrorist group pursuant to Executive Order 13224 for supporting acts of terrorism, which freezes any assets Aulaqi has under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in any transactions with him.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration is issuing an interim rule, effective July 20, 2010, to potentially make permanent the current waiver for high quality grain exported in containers from the mandatory inspection and weighing requirements of the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA). This interim rule only extends for 2 years a 5-year waiver that is set to expire on July 31, 2010, and asks for interested parties to comment on making this waiver permanent by September 17, 2010.
On July 15, 2010, the U.S. and Turkey began the seventh meeting of the U.S.-Turkey Trade and Investment Council. The two-day meeting will cover the importance of the U.S.-Turkey trade and investment relationship and is a key step in preparations for the first formal meeting, envisioned for later this year, of the U.S.-Turkey Strategic Economic and Commercial Cooperation dialogue.
The State Department has sent a proposed rule to the Office of Management and Budget that would amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations on dual nationals and third party national employed by end users.
The Federal Trade Commission announces the settlement of a false advertising charge involving a drink for kids that contains probiotics. The FTC complaint charged that from fall 2008 to fall 2009, Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition, Inc. made false claims in television, magazine, and print ads that BOOST Kid Essentials prevents upper respiratory tract infections in children, protects against colds and flu by strengthening the immune system, and reduces absences from daycare or school due to illness. BOOST Kid Essentials is a nutritionally complete drink intended for children ages 1 to 13. The probiotics in BOOST Kid Essentials are embedded in a straw that comes with the drink, which was prominently featured in ads for the product.
The DOT's Bureau of Transportation Statistics announced on July 14, 2010, that the Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) fell 0.4 percent in May from its April level, declining after two consecutive monthly increases. The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in freight shipments in ton-miles, which are then combined into one index. The index measures the output of the for-hire freight transportation industry and consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.
On July 14, 2010, the President sent a letter to various House and Senate committees informing them of his determination that suspension, for six months beyond August 1, 2010, of the right to bring action under Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 is necessary to U.S. national interests and will expedite a transition to democracy in Cuba.
The Foreign Agriculture Service has announced new one-year allocations under the Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP) for the July-June 2010/11 year. DEIP allocations of 68,201 metric tons of nonfat dry milk, 21,097 tons of butterfat and 3,030 tons of various cheeses may be made available through Invitations for Offers. These allocations correspond to total World Trade Organization limits for this year’s DEIP. Because of current international and domestic market conditions, Invitations for Offers will not immediately be made available. USDA will continue to monitor market conditions closely to determine when invitations on these allocations may be issued. Information about the DEIP, including Invitations for Offers when issued, is available www.fas.usda.gov/excredits/deip.html or by calling the Credit Programs Division, Office of Trade Programs, FAS, at (202) 720-3224 or (202) 720-6211.