Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Commerce Releases JCCT Report on China and U.S. Trade Statistics Differences

2. TSA Information on CCSP Screening Technologies

The Transportation Security Administration issued on February 4, 2010, a non-sensitive version of its list of technologies that can be used by air carriers, indirect air carriers, independent cargo screening facilities, and shippers in the Certified Cargo Screening Program to screen for domestic and outbound (of the United States) air cargo. (Document, dated 02/04/10, available at http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/non_ssi_qtl.pdf)

3. 2009 TSA Document on Reaching 100% Screening Target

On June 5, 2009, TSA said shippers may wait until it is too late to surmount the challenges of August 2010, when 100% of all cargo pieces transported by a passenger air carrier must be screened individually. TSA had also said it had seen a decline in applications for the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP), and listed a number of issues to consider. (Notice, dated 06/05/09, available at http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/ccsp_at_a_glance.pdf)

4. DHS Met With Airline Industry CEOs on Int'l Aviation Security

On March 4, 2010, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano met with CEOs of the member airlines of the Air Transport Association of American as part of her ongoing efforts to bring together major domestic and foreign air carriers to work on ways to bolster international aviation security. (News release, dated 03/04/10, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1267744412838.shtm)

5. FDA, FSIS Workshop on Measuring Success of Food Safety Programs

The Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service will host a joint public workshop on how best to measure progress in reducing food borne illnesses on March 30, in Washington, D.C. The President's Food Safety Working Group has emphasized the need to improve such metrics. (News release, dated 03/03/10, available at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm202913.htm)

6. FAS Announces Russia to Reopen its Market to U.S. Pork

The Foreign Agricultural Service reports that the United States and Russia have reached an agreement to reopen the Russian market to U.S. pork and pork products. Under the agreement, U.S. plants that want to export to Russia must apply for AMS approval to participate in an Export Verification (EV) program for pork to Russia, to address specific product requirements. (FAS news release, dated 03/05/10, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0034-10)

7. U.S. to Support Trade Ban of Bluefin Tuna at CITES Meeting

The United States will continue its support for a proposal to ban all international commercial trade of Atlantic bluefin tuna at this month's meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wildlife Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Doha, Qatar, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Tom Strickland announced. (Press release, dated 03/03/10, available at http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/2010_03_03_releaseA.cfm)

8. FTC to Propose Requiring EnergyGuide Labels on TVs

The Federal Trade Commission has issued a press release stating it will soon publish a proposed rule requiring that EnergyGuide labels appear on televisions sold in the United States so consumers shopping for TVs will have more information about the energy use of different models. (News release, dated 03/04/10, available at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/03/tvlabel.shtm)

9. Administration Says Aid Will be Restored to Honduras

In an interview at the Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas meeting on March 4, 2010, Secretary of State Clinton stated that she has sent a letter to Congress notifying them that the Administration will be restoring aid to Honduras as Honduran President Lobo and his administration have taken the necessary steps to restore democracy after a June 2009 coup. (Remarks, dated 03/04/10, available at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/03/137839.htm)

10. "Commercial News USA" March/April 2010 Issue Available

Commercial News USA, produced in partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service, is the official export promotion magazine of the Commerce Department, helping American companies find buyers and distributors for their products and services. The print version of the magazine reaches an estimated 400,000 readers in 176 countries. The March/April 2010 issue is now available. (Commercial News USA, posted 03/05/10, available at http://www.thinkglobal.us/)

11. DDTC Announces March 7th Web Site Outage

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls announced that its web server was scheduled to undergo essential system upgrades on March 7, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. EST until 12:00 p.m. EST. During this time, the DDTC Web site was unavailable. D-Trade was not affected and remained online. (DDTC notice, posted 03/05/10, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/documents/Industry%20Notice_20100305c.pdf)

12. CPSC to Vote on Proposed New Information Collection for Third-Party Labs

The Commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission are due to vote by March 11, 2010 on a draft Federal Register notice announcing the submission of a proposed new collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget for approval. The information collection would allow CPSC to evaluate and accredit third party labs to test children's products, as required by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. (CPSC ballot vote sheet and draft FR notice (posted 03/05/10) available at http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia10/brief/cabregistration.pdf)

13. ITA Requests Applications for FY 2010 Market Development Cooperator Program Funds

The International Trade Administration is soliciting proposals (applications) from eligible organizations for fiscal year 2010 Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) funds. The ITA will hold a public meeting to discuss MDCP proposal preparation, procedures, and selection process on March 16, 2010 in Washington, DC. Completed applications are due by April 19, 2010. (D/N 100301119-0119-01; I.D. GF001, FR Pub 03/05/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-4715.pdf)

14. U.S.-China Commission Hearing on Taiwan-China Development, Implications for U.S.

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission will hold an open public hearing on March 18, 2010 in Washington, DC to address "Taiwan-China: Recent Economic, Political, and Military Developments across the Strait, and Implications for the United States." (FR Pub 03/05/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-4631.pdf)

15. ITA Manufacturing Council to Hold Open Meeting on March 22nd

The International Trade Administration has announced that the Manufacturing Council will hold an open meeting to discuss a variety of issues affecting the U.S. manufacturing industry on March 22, 2010 in Washington, DC. (FR Pub 03/05/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-4797.pdf)

16. USDA/FDA Announce Upcoming Codex Committee Sessions on Food, General Principles

The USDA Office of Food Safety and the Food and Drug Administration are sponsoring public meetings onMarch 23, 2010and March 29, 2010 to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the April 2010 Sessions of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food; and the Codex Committee on General Principlesof the Codex Alimentarius Commission, respectively.

17. NMFS Requests Info on Vessels Engaged in Illegal Fishing, Bycatch

The National Marine Fisheries Service is seeking information by April 5, 2010 regarding nations whose vessels are engaged in illegal, unregulated, or unreported fishing or bycatch of protected living marine resources. The information will be reviewed to identify nations pursuant to the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act. (FR Pub 03/05/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-4680.pdf)

18. OFAC Publishes Names of Four Blocked Entities, One Individual under WMD EO

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the names of four newly-designated entities and one individual whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 13382, "Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters," effective February 10, 2010. (FR Pub 03/05/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-4592.pdf)

19. GAO Reports on Iran Sanctions

The Government Accountability Office has issued the following report: Iran Sanctions Complete and Timely Licensing Data Needed to Strengthen Enforcement of Export Restrictions. (Report, dated 03/04/10, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10375.pdf)

20. WTO Circulates EU Answers on Its Enlargement to 27 Members

The World Trade Organization has circulated European Union replies to questions regarding its enlargementto 27 Member States, including Bulgaria and Romania.For example, when askedabout tariff rate increases as a result of enlargement, the EU stated that for any increase, the EU is engaged innegotiations on compensatory adjustments. (Search WTO documents at http://www.wto.org/under March 3, 2010 for source document or request copy by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.)

21. Canada Posts 2010 TRQ Utilization Tables & Quota Holder Lists for Turkey, Turkey Products

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has posted 2010 tariff rate quota utilization tables for turkey and turkey products as well as the 2010 quota holders lists. (Notice, posted 03/03/10, available at http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/prod/agri/turkey-dindon/index.aspx)

22. Miscellaneous and Processed Products PPQ Manual Updated

On March 4, 2010, APHIS updated its Miscellaneous and Processed Products PPQ Manual. The manual is used for regulating imported items that are processed and are not intended for propagation. (Manual, updated 03/04/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/miscellaneous.pdf)

23. FSIS Updates Lists of Canada Establishments Eligible to Export Meat & Poultry

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued updated (March 3, 2010) version of its list of Canada establishments eligible to export meat and poultry to the U.S.

24. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:

(CPSC recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelmar10.html)

25. FSIS Issues Notices for its Inspection Personnel and Public

FSIS has issued the following notice:

Notice 12-10 (March 3, 2010): Export Library Revisions for February 2010

26. FSIS Updates List of Instructions and U.S. Plants for Exporting Meat and Poultry to Foreign Countries

FSIS has provided updated information for the export of U.S. meat and poultry to the following country:

Mexico Plant List (Revised March 4, 2010)

27. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

Indonesia - Lifting Pork Ban: Trade Policy Monitoring

China - Grain and Feed Annual: Annual

Australia - Livestock and Products Semi-annual: 2010 Semi-Annual

Russian Federation - American Dessert Festival in Vladivostok: CSSF Activity Report

Australia - Wine Annual: 2010

China - Grain and Feed Annual: Annual

Thailand - Update on Frozen Potatoes: Potatoes and Potato Products

Saudi Arabia - Grain and Feed Annual

Venezuela - Government Creates Socialist Business Entity: Agriculture in the News, Agriculture in the Economy

Turkey - TMO grain export tender result: Grain and Feed

Mexico - February Cotton Update: Cotton and Products, Policy and Program Announcements

Chile - Wine Annual

28. Agency Seeks Comments on Information Collections

Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):

Agency Information Collection Comments Due

(Information collection notices are hyperlinked to agency name.)