Sources at U.S. Customs and Border Protection and a recent National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) webinar have provided an update on using the new Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR) chapter1 containingthe Participating Government Agencies (PGA) data set for submitting the Lacey Act Amendments declaration for imported plants and plant products.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted (1) the charter for the interagency Agriculture Quarantine Inspection Partnership Council and (2) three additional action plans for the CBP-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Joint Agency Task Force.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a CSMS regarding the new Participating Government Agencies Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR) chapter that it recently posted to its Web site.
The CPSC has posted Part I and Part II of the public comments it has received on the Prohibition on the Sale of Certain Products Containing Specified Phthalates pursuant to Section 108 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. (Posting available at http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has published a notice announcing revisions to its enforcement phase-in plan for the Lacey Act Amendment declaration requirement for imported plants and plant products, provided information on its exemptions, etc.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has refiled for Federal Register publication its notice that announces a revision to its enforcement phase-in plan for the Lacey Act Amendment declaration requirement for imported plants and plant products, etc. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/23/09 news, 09012305, for BP summary of pulled notice.) (Draft FR notice available at http://www.federalregister.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2009-02232_PI.pdf)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted an updated version of its National Agriculture Release Program (NARP) commodities list. NARP provides a methodology for evaluating high-volume agriculture imports that are low-risk for the introduction of plant pests and plant diseases into the U.S.
In his written answers to questions posed by the Senate Finance Committee as part of the confirmation process, Treasury Secretary Geithner addressed numerous issues, including China currency manipulation. According to Treasury Secretary Geithner, President Obama believes that China is manipulating its currency and has pledged to use aggressively all the diplomatic avenues open to him to seek change in China's currency practices. (Written answers, dated 01/21/09, available at http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/leg/LEG%202009/012209%20TFG%20Questions.pdf.)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has reopened the comment period on its proposed rule which would revise and update certain procedures and requirements for the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms in order to bring the regulations under 7 CFR Part 340 into alignment with the Plant Protection Act.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has pulled a notice that was intended to be published in the January 23, 2009 Federal Register, that would have announced a revision to its enforcement phase-in plan for the Lacey Act Amendment declaration requirement for imported plants and plant products, provided information on its exemptions, etc.