Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

The Food and Drug Administration has issued an April 20, 2010 statement on a new report from the Institute of Medicine which concludes that national action is imperative to reduce the sodium content of foods. The FDA states it will review IOM's recommendations and build plans to support the reduction of sodium levels in the food supply. (FDA news release, dated 04/20/10, available at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm209155.htm)

2. China Issues New Regulations on Food Additives

Xinhuanet.com reports that China's top food safety authority has issued regulations that set six new restrictions on the use and the approval of food additives. The new regulations forbid the use of food additives to mislead, or disguise decaying and bad quality food. Food producers are also required to use the minimum amount necessary. (Notice, dated 04/23/10, available at http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-04/23/c_13263459.htm)

3. U.S.-China Commission Reports on Chinese Ingredients in Pharmaceuticals and Supplements

The U.S. - China Economic and Security Review Commission has released an April 14, 2010 contracted report entitled: “Potential Health & Safety Impacts from Pharmaceuticals and Supplements Containing Chinese-Sourced Raw Ingredients.” “In recent years there has been increasing concern regarding Chinese-sourced ingredients. (Report, dated April 2010, available at http://www.uscc.gov/researchpapers/2010/NSD_BIO_Pharma_Report--Revised_FINAL_for_PDF--14_%20April_2010.pdf)

4. U.S. China Commission Reports on Potential U.S.-China BIT

The U.S.- China Economic and Security Review Commission has released an April 14, 2010 contracted report entitled: “Evaluating a Potential U.S.-China Bilateral Investment Treaty: Background, Context and Implications.” Both nations resume negotiation of a BIT in June 2008. (Report, dated March 2010, available at http://www.uscc.gov/researchpapers/2010/EIU_Report_on_US-China_BIT--FINAL_14_April_2010.pdf)

5. WTO DSB's April 20 Meeting Covered Philippines Spirit Dispute, U.S. Zeroing, Etc.

The World Trade Organization has posted an overview of the Dispute Settlement Body's April 20, 2010 meeting. Among other things, a panel was established to examine Philippines Taxes on Distilled Spirits, the U.S. blocked requests by Korea and Vietnam for panels to examine U.S. use of AD "zeroing," the EU blocked China's request for a panel on EU AD measures on certain footwear from China, etc. (WTO news release, dated 04/20/10, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news10_e/dsb_20apr10_e.htm)

6. ITA Requests Comments on Internet Economy Privacy, Innovation

The International Trade Administration seeks public comment from all Internet stakeholders, including the commercial sector, on the impact of current Internet privacy laws in the U.S. and around the world on the pace of innovation in the information economy, after which the ITA intends to issue a report. Comments are due by June 7, 2010. (D/N 100402174--0175--01, FR Pub 04/23/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-9450.pdf)

7. DOT Says 29% of U.S. GHG Emissions Come From Vehicles

The Transportation Department has issued a new report stating that 29 percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and 5 percent of global emissions are due to burning fuel to power U.S. vehicles. The majority of these emissions, totaling 59 percent, come from light-duty vehicles, followed by freight trucks at 19 percent and aircraft at 12 percent. (News release, dated 04/22/10, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/dot7510.htm)

8. CPSC Recognizes Four Private Labs as Firewalled 3rd Party Labs

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has voted (5-0) to recognize four testing labs that are owned, managed, or controlled by a manufacturer or private labeler as firewalled, CPSC-recognized third-party labs that are accredited to test children’s products for certain children’s product safety rules. (CPSC press release, dated 04/23/10, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10203.html)

9. CPSC Announces Open Meetings with Industry Stakeholders

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has updated its list of meetings between CPSC and industry stakeholders that are open to the public, unless otherwise stated (partial list):

• CPSC's Robert Garrett and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association; 04/29/10; to discuss a CPSC staff report on fires involving residential duplex electrical receptacles.
• CPSC's Patricia Adair updated the Exporter’s Textile Advisory Committee (ETAC) on CPSC projects affecting textile and apparel products; 04/20/10.

(CPSC calendar available at http://www.cpsc.gov/calendar.html)

10. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

(CPSC recalls, dated April 2010, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelapr10.html)

11. Revised FDA Import Alerts

The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:

• 99-21: Food Products Containing Sulfites
• 85-02: Condoms
• 33-10: Candy Due to Lead
• 24-11: Dried Peppers from Mexico
• 16-81: Seafood Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella
• 16-18: Shrimp
• 12-10: Cheese Due to Microbiological Contamination

12. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

• Russian Federation - Livestock and Products Semi-annual: Reduced Import Access Outpaces Meat Production Gains
• Egypt - Cotton and Products Annual: Annual Report
• Peru - Sugar Annual: Annual

13. FSIS Updates Lists of Australia and Czech Establishments Eligible to Export Meat & Poultry

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued updated versions of its lists of Australia (April 21, 2010) and Czech Republic (April 20, 2010) establishments eligible to export meat and poultry to the U.S.

14. FSIS Updates Instructions, Plants for Exporting Meat, Poultry

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

• Japan (Revised April 21, 2010)
• Russia (Pork) Plant List (Revised April 21, 2010)
• European Union (Revised April 21, 2010)
• United Arab Emirates (Revised April 21, 2010)
• Kuwait (Revised April 21, 2010)

15. APHIS Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Monitoring Handbook Updated

APHIS has updated the AQIM as of April 22, 2010. The handbook provides an information source for implementing AQIM at designated work locations, training employees about the basics of risk analysis and risk management, and analyzing information so managers can make better risk-based decisions. (Handbook, updated 04/22/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/aqim_handbook.pdf)

16. EC Describes Status of FTA Negotiations with India, Korea, ASEAN, Etc.

The European Commission has posted notes from an EC meeting with industry representatives on the status of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement, EU-Korea FTA, EU-ASEAN FTA, EU-Andean negotiations, EU-Ukraine FTA negotiations, and the EU-Canada Comprehensive and Economic and Trade Agreement. (EC notes, dated 04/14/10, available at http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2010/april/tradoc_146066.pdf)

17. Egypt Asks WTO Members to Consider Syria's Request to Join

The World Trade Organization has posted a request from Egypt that the Syrian Arab Republic's request to join the WTO be added to the agenda of the next General Council session on May 4-5, 2010. (WTO document available at (may have to open twice for proper viewing) http://docsonline.wto.org/GEN_viewerwindow.asp?http://docsonline.wto.org:80/DDFDocuments/t/wt/gc/127.doc)

18. U.S. Comments on WTO Text on Fisheries Subsidies

The World Trade Organization has circulated a communication from the U.S. regarding a November 2007 text by the Chair of the Negotiating Group on Rules on Fisheries Subsidies. The U.S. states that it broadly supports that text but makes certain additional recommendations. (WTO document available at (may have to open twice for proper viewing) http://docsonline.wto.org/GEN_viewerwindow.asp?http://docsonline.wto.org:80/DDFDocuments/t/tn/rl/GEN165.doc)

19. EU Official Journal Notices Involving Trade for April 23, 2010

In the April 23, 2010 edition of the Official Journal of the European Union, the following trade-related notices were posted:

• Commission Regulation regarding the trigger levels for additional duties on cucumbers and cherries, other than sour cherries;
• Commission Regulation concerning the classification of certain goods in the Combined Nomenclature; and
• Commission Decision on the draft Decree from Italy setting out standards governing the labeling of certain milk and milk products.

20. 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.)