The Alcohol and Tobacco Trade and Tax Bureau on June 23, 2010 issued guidance stating that Kombucha products containing at least 0.5 percent alcohol by volume are alcohol beverages. Kombucha is a fermented tea that is typically marketed as a non-alcoholic beverage, which means that it may contain a trace amount of alcohol, as long as the overall alcohol content is less than 0.5 percent alcohol by volume.
The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued a July 13, 2010 International Agriculture Trade Report which states U.S. agricultural exports to the European Union are on the rebound. In recent years, exports of agricultural products to the EU have trailed growth in overall U.S. agricultural exports to the world. From 2000 to 2009, U.S. exports to all destinations increased by 90 percent (from $52.7 billion to $96.6 billion); over the same time period exports to the EU increased only 17 percent making it one of the slowest growing markets. However, shipments have been strong through the first seven months of fiscal 2010 and are forecast for the year at $8.3 billion, up 9 percent over last year. Exports over the second half of the year will be influenced by the European financial situation, strength of the dollar, and competitor supplies.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for ocean transportation intermediary licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:
The Office of the United States Trade Representative announces the results of 2009 Generalized System of Preferences Annual Product Review with respect to: (1) disposition of the product petitions accepted for review, including petitions to add and remove products; (2) waivers of the Competitive Need Limitations; (3) revocation of CNL waivers; and (4) de minimis waivers and redesignations. (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/02/10 news, 10070221, for previous BP summary of the 2009 Annual GSP Review results. See ITT's Online Archives or 07/06/10 news, 10070606, for BP summary of the Presidential Proclamation implementing the GSP changes.)
The International Trade Administration's U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is organizing an Aerospace Supplier Development Mission to China from November 7-17, 2010, which will include representatives from a variety of U.S. aerospace industry manufacturers and service providers, and will introduce these suppliers to end-users and prospective partners.
The Bureau of Industry and Security announces that the Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee will hold a partially open meeting on July 27, 2010. The agenda for the public session includes remarks from BIS Management and industry presentations.
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):
The State Department has designated the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army (aka CPP/NPA and other aliases) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended.
The Bureau of Industry and Security announces that the Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee will hold a partially open meeting on July 28 and 29, 2010. The agenda for the July 28 public session includes discussion of Smart Grid, civil satellite telecommunications, and GPU/CPU/accelerators.
The Justice Department states that five men were indicted in Los Angeles on July 9, 2010 by a federal grand jury for their role in a large-scale theft scheme targeting railroad freight cars carrying costly cargo, including flat screen 3D televisions. The indictment capped a two-month investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations and the Union Pacific Railroad Police, with assistance from the sheriff's departments in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Police and the California Highway Patrol.