During the February 25, 2010 Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Related Homeland Security Functions (COAC) meeting, a CBP official and COAC's Agriculture Subcommittee provided an update on agricultural issues. Highlights of this update include:
The International Trade Administration's U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is organizing a Trade Mission to Bogot and Cartagena, Colombia and Panama City, Panama, September 20-24, 2010, which will focus on helping U.S. companies launch or increase their export business in these markets. (FR Pub 03/03/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-4350.pdf)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has updated its Lacey Act Amendment postings by issuing a February 2010 version of its Lacey Act Primer.
At the February 25, 2010 meeting of the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Related Homeland Security Functions, a Department of Homeland Security official stated that the White House is coordinating a supply chain security assessment. This assessment, which will meet the requirements of the Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act, is expected to be completed in summer 2010.
In remarks to the Business Roundtable on February 24, 2010, the President discussed his Administration's National Export Initiative and the goal of doubling U.S. exports over the next five years. The President also stated that his Administration has launched the Trans-Pacific Partnership to strengthen U.S. trade relations with Asia. For the same reason, the Administration will work to resolve outstanding issues and move forward on trade agreements with key partners like South Korea and Panama and Colombia and conclude a Doha trade agreement that creates real access to key global markets. (Remarks, dated 02/24/10, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-business-roundtable
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a final rule, effective February 22, 2010, which revises the controls on certain agents identified in Export Control Classification Number 1C360 to reflect changes to the Plant Protection and Quarantine Programs list; and removes certain anti-terrorism (AT) license requirements under ECCN 1E998.
The Department of Agriculture reports that Fiscal 2010 agricultural exports are forecast to be $100 billion, up $2 billion from the November forecast and $3.4 billion above final FY 2009 exports. FY 2010 agricultural imports are expected to remain at $77.5 billion. USDA's report details the specific agricultural products that are driving these exports and imports. (Report, dated 02/18/10, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/cmp/outlook/2010/Feb-10/AES-02-18-2010.pdf)
On February 11, 2010, the Administration released the "Economic Report of the President" which provides an analysis of the actions the President has taken to bring about economic recovery. The report discusses, among other things, the role of exports in economic recovery, including Administration's National Export Initiative, free trade agreements, etc. (Report, dated 02/11/10, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/dr-christina-romer-discusses-economic-report-president.)
USTR Kirk and Deputy USTR Sapiro recently concluded their two-day visit to Mexico. The two sides discussed the mutual importance to the U.S. and Mexican economies of using trade to create jobs and improve competitiveness. In an earlier meeting, the Ambassadors and Secretary Ruiz Mateos discussed topics including the North American Leaders Summit; bilateral trade issues such as transportation, tuna and intellectual property; the environment, and the Doha Round of world trade negotiations. (Press release, dated 02/09/10, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2010/february/united-states-trade-representative-ron-kirk-concl)
The Center for Environmental Health has notified four retailers, Saks Fifth Avenue, Justice, Catherines, and Aeropostale that independent lab testing has found significant levels of cadmium in jewelry purchased from their stores in December and January. Similar recent reports suggest that, in response to the new federal law limiting lead in children's products, jewelry makers may be using cadmium instead of lead. (Press release, dated 02/02/10, available at http://www.ceh.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=428&Itemid=166)