Piracy “infects” key markets and many nations are loath to administer a cure, the International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) told the USTR. Russia and China again topped IIPA’s list of pirate-friendly countries, as USTR prepares its annual Special 301 review of piracy and market access problems around the world.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a proposed rule that would amend 9 CFR Parts 93, 94, 95 and 96 on the importation into the U.S. of live bovines and products from bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) minimal risk regions (BSE-risk) (currently only Canada).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a proposed rule that would add a new section 101.91 to 21 CFR in order to define the term "gluten-free" for voluntary use in the labeling of foods. FDA has also issued a "Questions and Answers" document on the proposed rule.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice requesting further comments in connection with its plans to conduct a Special 301 Provincial Review (SPR) of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection in China.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a proposed rule that would amend 16 CFR Part 1211, Safety Standards for Automatic Residential Garage Door Operators, to reflect the revised garage door entrapment provisions of Underwriter Laboratories, Inc. (UL) standard UL 325.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a final rule that requires manufacturers to label portable generators with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning warning labels which contain performance and technical data related to performance and safety.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice extending the comment period for its October 25, 2006 Federal Register notice which sought public comments and scheduled a public hearing for December 5, 2006 on the regulation of certain conventional foods that companies are marketing as "functional foods."

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice requesting comments by 10 a.m. on February 12, 2007 regarding whether any foreign countries should be identified under Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Trade Act) (19 USC 2242), which is commonly referred to as the "Special 301" provisions of the Trade Act.

American Shipper reports that the trade is criticizing U.S. Customs and Border Protection's proposal to require additional advance trade data elements for maritime cargo (referred to as the 102 proposal). The trade is concerned that the government is creating a two-step process for clearing goods for entrance into the U.S. The trade would like to see a one-step process where goods screened overseas are allowed a provisional release upon arrival at U.S. ports. (American Shipper Pub January 2007, www.americanshipper.com)

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule, effective December 18, 2006, which amends 7 CFR Part 319 in order to list a number of fruits and vegetables from certain parts of the world as eligible, under specified conditions, for importation into the U.S.