Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. PierPASS Shows Early Success in Shifting Port Traffic to Off-Peak Hours

2. U.S. Says Vaccine Offers Protection from Avian Flu

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports that U.S. government scientists say they have found a vaccine that is effective against a strain of avian influenza. According to WSJ, the vaccine has produced a strong immune response to the avian flu; however, there may be difficulties in generating an adequate supply. (WSJ Pub 08/08/05, www.wallstreetjournal.com)

3. USTR Determines Not to Initiate a Section 302 China Currency Investigation

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice announcing that it will not initiate an investigation under section 302 of the Trade Act of 1974 with respect to a petition addressing China's currency valuation policies. (FR Pub 08/09/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-15674.pdf)

4. FDA Recommended Seizure of Basmati Rice from Pakistan Carried Out

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a news release announcing that, at its request, a court-ordered seizure of over $80,000 worth of basmati rice at POF International, Inc. located in Irvington, NJ took place on July 26, 2005. According to the FDA, the seized rice had been imported from Pakistan and contained substantial numbers of weevils, beetles, and insect larvae. (FDA News Release dated 07/28/05, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2005/field07_28.html)

5. Commerce Secty Leads 1st Trade Mission to Certain DR-CAFTA Countries

According to a Commerce Department press release, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gutierrez will lead a U.S. business development mission to Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador during October 16-22, 2005. The release states that this is the first mission following passage of the DR-CAFTA legislation. (Release dated 08/04/05, available at http://www.commerce.gov/opa/press/Secretary_Gutierrez/2005_Releases/August/4_trade_mission.htm )

6. DHS Issues Q&A, Fact Sheets, on Test of RFID Under US-VISIT at 5 Ports

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a set of Questions and Answers (Q&A) and two fact sheets on the test which began on August 4, 2005 of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology under U.S.-VISIT, at the five U.S. land border ports of Nogales East (AZ), Nogales West (AZ), Alexandria Bay (NY), and Pacific Highway and Peach Arch (WA). (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/05/05 news, 05080525 for earlier BP summary.) (DHS Q&A/Fact Sheets, dated 08/08/05, available at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=4720, http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=4718 , and http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=4719 )

7. FDA Letter on "and/or" Ingredient Labeling of Nutritive Sweeteners in Soft Drinks

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted a letter to food manufacturers regarding the status of "and/or" ingredient labeling of nutritive sweeteners in soft drink products in light of the November 26, 2004 Federal Register notice withdrawing the proposed rule to permit "and/or" labeling for nutritive sweeteners in soft drinks. (Letter dated 07/05/05, available athttp://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/fl-ltr5.html

8. BIS Renews Order Temporarily Denying Export Privileges to Pakland PME Corp. and Humayun Khan

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued an order that renews for 180 days from August 6, 2005, a temporary order against Pakland PME Corporation and Humayun Khan, of Islamabad, Pakistan, denying them and their successors, etc. participation in any transaction involving the export of any commodity, software, or technology that is subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), among other things. BIS states that it is taking this action as these persons committed numerous violations of the EAR by participating in the unlicensed export of triggered spark gaps and oscilloscopes, items controlled for nuclear non-proliferation reasons to Pakistan. (FR Pub 08/05/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-15477.pdf )

9. DHS' Science and Technology Advisory Committee Closed Meeting

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a notice announcing that its Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Committee (HSSTAC) will meet in a closed session on August 23 & 24, 2005. (D/N DHS-2005-0055, FR Pub 08/09/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-15728.pdf)

10. FSIS' Public Meeting to Prepare for Codex Task Force on Biotech Foods

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a notice announcing that it will hold a public meeting on August 30, 2005 to provide U.S. draft positions and receive public comments on agenda items that will be discussed at the Fifth Session of the Codex ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology, which will be held in Chiba, Japan from September 19 through 23, 2005. (D/N 05-025N, FR Pub 08/09/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-15729.pdf)

11. Recent CPSC Press Releases on Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued separate press releases (dated 07/01/05-07/31/05) announcing that the following companies, in cooperation with the CPSC, are voluntarily recalling the products listed below Due to the large number of recalls in July 2005, this is Part II, the final part of a two-part series of summaries. (Press releases available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereljul05.html )

(See ITT's Online Archives or 08/09/05 news, 05080999 8 for Part I.)