The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has updated the Lacey Act Declaration postings on its Website to include an updated Lacey Act Primer and a sample BRASS/ALR blanket declaration spreadsheet. APHIS is also planning an update to the declaration form (PPQ 505), and is interested in creating instructions for those filing the Lacey Act declaration electronically, etc..
The Transportation Security Administration has issued an annual summary of all enforcement actions taken by TSA under the authority granted in the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11Commission Act of 2007. (D/N TSA-2009-0024, FR Pub 12/28/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-30623.pdf)
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a Federal Register notice announcing its interim enforcement policy allowing certain component and paint sample testing for certification of children's and other consumer products for compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act's lead paint and lead content limits that took effect August 14, 2009. (CPSC notice, FR Pub 12/28/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-30669.pdf)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a notice to its website stating that personal imports of Christmas trees from British Columbia into Washington State require certification from the grower that their holiday tree was grown in an area of Canada where gypsy moth and pine shoot beetle are not known to occur. Blaine port sources state that this certification can take the form of a purchase receipt, or for those that cut their own, completing a local Blaine/BC form. See APHIS PPQ Canadian Border Agricultural Clearance Manual, Chapter 3, "Cut Flowers and Greenery" for information on commercial imports of Christmas trees from Canada. (Notice, dated 12/11/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/12112009_6.xml )
The National Nuclear Security Administration states that the United Arab Emirates will join the U.S. Megaports Initiative, a cooperative effort to detect, deter, and interdict illicit maritime smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive material. As part of the agreement, the NNSA will work with the UAE to install radiation detection equipment and associated infrastructure (and provide training) at the ports of Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The Megaports Initiative is currently operational at 28 ports worldwide. (Press release, dated 12/16/09, available at http://nnsa.energy.gov/2760.htm)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a final rule, effective January 14, 2010, which establishes requirements for the import into the U.S. of certain hides and skins from regions with African swine fever (ASF) and from Mexico, and bird trophies from regions with exotic Newcastle disease (END).
According to multiple press reports, the next Acting Deputy Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar. Aguilar has over 30 years of border security experience and was appointed as Chief of the Border Patrol for CBP in 2004.
The White House has issued a press release announcing the issuance of an Executive Order on the half-day closing of all executive branch departments and agencies of the Federal Government (except as provided in the Executive Order) on December 24, 2009. (Press release, dated 12/11/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/executive-order-half-day-closing-executive-departments-and-agencies-thursday-decemb.)
The Department of Energy is allowing manufacturers subject to certain certification requirements for consumer residential products to remedy deficiencies in their certification submissions and/or to certify covered products. DOE will refrain from initiating an enforcement action for any violations of 10 CFR 430.62 that are remedied prior to 30 days from December 9, 2009. (FR Pub 12/09/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-29356.pdf)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service posted new guidance in November 2009 on filing Lacey Act Declarations for articles containing composite, recycled, or reused materials.