The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a proposed rule to establish procedures the U.S. Department of Agriculture would use to conduct the first (and any subsequent) required referendum on whether to continue the Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Order, which was established in May 2008.
On June 3, 2010, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and the Agricultural Marketing Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the enforcement responsibilities of each agency with respect to the labeling and advertising of alcohol beverages produced under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and for other purposes.
U.S. Trade Representative Kirk spoke at a July 14, 2010 event to welcome the launch of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s (APEC) USA Host Committee's preparation to host APEC in 2011, including the APEC meeting of Ministers Related to Trade (MRT) in Big Sky, Montana in May 2011. Ambassador Kirk emphasized the U.S.’s opportunity to partner with the economies in the Asia-Pacific region to promote trade by small and medium-sized businesses, create jobs, increase exports and grow the U.S. economy.
The State Department has sent a proposed rule to the Office of Management and Budget that would amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations on dual nationals and third party national employed by end users.
On July 14, 2010, the President sent a letter to various House and Senate committees informing them of his determination that suspension, for six months beyond August 1, 2010, of the right to bring action under Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 is necessary to U.S. national interests and will expedite a transition to democracy in Cuba.
The DOT's Bureau of Transportation Statistics announced on July 14, 2010, that the Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) fell 0.4 percent in May from its April level, declining after two consecutive monthly increases. The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in freight shipments in ton-miles, which are then combined into one index. The index measures the output of the for-hire freight transportation industry and consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.
The Federal Trade Commission announces the settlement of a false advertising charge involving a drink for kids that contains probiotics. The FTC complaint charged that from fall 2008 to fall 2009, Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition, Inc. made false claims in television, magazine, and print ads that BOOST Kid Essentials prevents upper respiratory tract infections in children, protects against colds and flu by strengthening the immune system, and reduces absences from daycare or school due to illness. BOOST Kid Essentials is a nutritionally complete drink intended for children ages 1 to 13. The probiotics in BOOST Kid Essentials are embedded in a straw that comes with the drink, which was prominently featured in ads for the product.
The Congressional Research Service has issued a report entitled “North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation: The Future of Commercial Trucking Across the Mexican Border.”
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued its weekly trade spotlight which focuses on trade in North Carolina and the benefits to North Carolina of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service is announcing that the U.S. Delegates to the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Food (CCRVDF) have scheduled a public meeting prior to their committee meeting, to inform the public about the meeting agenda and proposed U.S. positions on relevant Codex issues. The meeting will be held on August 16, 2010 in Washington, D.C. The call-in phone number (to listen-in) is 1-866-692-3158, the passcode is 5986642.