The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a notice of its intent to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) to analyze methyl bromide usage associated with regulatory requirements for importing solid wood packing material (WPM) into the U.S.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a proposed rule that would amend its regulations governing foreign and domestic drug establishment registration and listing for human drugs, including drugs that are regulated under a biologics license application, and animal drugs. Among other things, FDA's proposed rule would require electronic submission of all registration and most listing information rather than the current practice of submitting this information on paper forms.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice announcing that it is seeking public comments and has scheduled a public meeting for December 5, 2006 on the regulation of certain conventional foods that companies are marketing as "functional foods."

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a notice extending the comment period for its August 2006 proposed rule that would amend 16 CFR by adding new Parts 1307 (Ban of Three-Wheeled All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)), 1410 (Requirements for Adult ATVs), and 1515 (Requirements for Youth ATVs) in order to address the risks of injury and death associated with ATVs. In addition, the proposed rule would amend certain administration and enforcement regulations in existing 16 CFR Part 1500.

On October 13, 2006, President Bush signed into law the conference version of H.R. 4954, entitled the "Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006" (SAFE Port Act), a measure intended to improve maritime and cargo security through enhanced layered defenses, and for other purposes.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final rule, effective January 9, 2007, that will require that manufacturers and processors of human food and cosmetics that are manufactured from, processed with, or otherwise contain, material from cattle establish and maintain records sufficient to demonstrate that the human food or cosmetic is not manufactured from, processed with, or does not otherwise contain, prohibited cattle materials.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to evaluate whether an amendment to the existing ban on certain infant cushions/pillows or pillow-like products should be made. Written comments are due by November 27, 2006.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a notice announcing that it is delaying the effective date of its August 30, 2006 interim rule which would amend 9 CFR Part 93 to restrict the importation of live fish, fertilized eggs, and gametes of fish species that are susceptible to spring viremia of carp (SVC).

China and Russia top the U.S. list of markets “notorious” for intellectual property (IP) piracy, though China is making enforcement progress, experts told a Thurs. U.S. Chamber of Commerce conference. Blocks away, trade groups told U.S. agency representatives China is failing its WTO obligations in regard to criminal piracy and enforcement (see separate story in this issue).

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has issued a notice announcing that, in response to industry member requests, it is extending the deadline for submitting comments to December 26, 2006 (from September 25, 2006), regarding its proposed rule to amend 27 CFR Parts 4, 5, and 7 in order to adopt mandatory labeling standards for major food allergens used in the production of alcohol beverages subject to the labeling requirements of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act.