The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a final rule, effective May 22, 2009, which modifies its requirements concerning the importation of eggs (other than hatching eggs) from regions where exotic Newcastle disease (END) exists. This action is necessary to provide another testing option for determining the END status of flocks producing eggs (other than hatching eggs) for export to the U.S. (D/N APHIS-2007-0014, FR Pub 04/22/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-9102.pdf)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a proposed rule to allow, under certain conditions, the importation of commercial shipments of fresh papaya from Colombia and Ecuador into the continental U.S. The conditions for the importation of papayas from Colombia and Ecuador include requirements for approved production locations, procedures for packing and shipping, etc. Written comments are due by June 22, 2009. APHIS' press release on the proposed rule is available here. (D/N APHIS-2008-0050, FR Pub 04/21/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-9100.pdf)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued an "Importer/Broker" letter on upcoming changes to its import permit process for food products containing meat and/or poultry ingredients from an animal disease country1, that are exempt from Food Safety and Inspection Service regulation as they contain only small amounts (less than 2%) of such ingredients.
CBP issued a notice stating that on March 31, 2009, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued an "Importer/Broker" letter to clarify the import permit process for FSIS-exempted food products containing small amounts (less than two percent) of meat and/or poultry ingredients. Further, APHIS has informed CBP that a U.S. Department of Agriculture import permit will now be required for all FSIS-exempted food products containing small amounts of meat and/or poultry ingredients. CBP enforcement of this USDA administrative change is scheduled to start on June 22, 2009. (See future issue of ITT for details.) (CBP notice, dated 04/14/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/agriculture/meat_poultry_regs.xml)
According to a White House press briefing, on April 13, 2009, the President directed the Secretaries of State, Treasury and Commerce to carry out the actions necessary to lift all restrictions on the ability of individuals to visit family members in Cuba, and to send them remittances.
The U.S. Trade Representative is requesting that those interested in serving as panelists for four separate rosters for Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement dispute settlement panels apply by May 13, 2009. A general roster is required to be established under Chapter Twenty (Dispute Settlement), Chapter Twelve (Financial Services), Chapter Sixteen (Labor), and Chapter Seventeen (Environment). (FR Pub 04/13/09, Notice available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-8321.pdf)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a press release inviting interested parties to attend a public meeting on its proposed rule to revise existing regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement and environmental release of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms. The meeting will be held April 29, 30, 2009 in Riverdale, MD.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a proposed rule to amend its regulations to provide for the resumption of imports of certain wooden handicrafts from China under certain conditions.
The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a notice, effective April 21, 2009, which grants a nationwide waiver of the Buy American requirements of Section 1605 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA, economic stimulus bill) for eligible projects for which debt was incurred on or after October 1, 2008 and before February 17, 2009, the date of enactment of ARRA. This action permits the use of non-domestic iron, steel, and manufactured goods in such projects funded by ARRA that may otherwise be prohibited under section 1605(a). (FR Pub. 04/07/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-7828.pdf)
The White House has issued a press release on the President's April 2, 2009 meeting with South Korea's President. According to the press release, both Presidents agreed that the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement could bring benefits to both countries and committed to working together to chart a way forward. (Press release, dated 04/02/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Statement-Following-President-Obamas-Meeting-with-President-Lee-of-the-Republic-of-Korea/.)