International Trade Today is a service of Warren Communications News.

Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

The Journal of Commerce Online reports that Target Corporation and its affiliate, Associated Merchandising Corp., have filed suit in the Court of International Trade accusing the U.S. of gender discrimination in tariffs imposed on similar items of apparel, footwear, and gloves. The article notes that in some cases, duties are higher on items for women and girls, but in other cases, the duties are higher on items for men and boys. (JoC Online dated 05/14/07, www.joc.com.)

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1. Target Sues Over Gender Discrimination in Apparel, Footwear, Etc. Duties

2. ITA Releases March 2007 Export Statistics

The International Trade Administration has released March 2007 export statistics and a spotlight on trade within the Western Hemisphere. ITA reports, among other things, that U.S. exports of goods and services grew by 9.8% in the first quarter of 2007 compared to the same quarter last year; that high oil prices account for a jump in the March trade deficit, and that the U.S. exports to Western Hemisphere countries have increased 296% since 1988. (ITA U.S. Export Fact Sheet, dated 05/10/07, available at http://www.commerce.gov/opa/press/Secretary_Gutierrez/2007_Releases/May/10_Fact_Sheet_March_2007_Exports.pdf)

3. Shipping Coordinating Committee to Hold Open Meeting on June 20, 2007

The State Department has issued a notice announcing that its Shipping Coordinating Committee will conduct an open meeting on June 20, 2007 in Washington, DC to prepare for the 56th Session of the International Maritime Organization Marine Environment Protection Committee to be held in London, England July 9 - 13, 2007. (Public Notice 5754, FR Pub 04/12/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-6864.pdf)

4. USDA Releases Report on National Animal ID System Pilot Projects

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has published a final report on a variety of pilot projects conducted throughout 2004 to test technologies and procedures recommended for use with the National Animal Identification System, integrating animal identification and movement reporting into everyday commerce. (APHIS press release, dated 05/04/07, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2007/05/animal_id_pilot.shtml)

5. FDA Posts Various Notices to its Web Site

The Food and Drug Administration has posted the following notices to its Web site:

USDA clears swine for processing. FDA has issued a news release announcing that testing confirms that meat from swine fed rations supplemented with pet food scraps containing melamine and related compounds is safe for human consumption, prompting the U.S. Department of Agriculture to allow swine held on farms to be released and approved for processing. (News release, dated 05/15/07, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01635.html)

Health risk alert for "True Man" and "Energy Max" products. FDA is advising consumers not to purchase or use "True Man" or "Energy Max" products promoted and sold as dietary supplements throughout the U.S. Both products - touted as sexual enhancement products and as treatments for erectile dysfunction - are illegal drug products that contain potentially harmful, undeclared ingredients. (Alert P07-86, dated 05/10/07, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01633.html)