Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

On October 16, 2008, President Bush signed into law H.R. 7222, a bill to extend the Andean trade preferences and Generalized System of Preferences programs beyond their current expiration dates, and make various changes regarding certain African and Dominican Republic textiles. (White House press release, dated 10/16/08, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/10/print/20081016-4.html.)

2. President Signs Mercury Export Ban Act

On October 14, 2008, President Bush signed into law S. 906, the Mercury Export Ban Act of 2008, which prohibits the transfer of elemental mercury by Federal agencies, bans U.S. export of elemental mercury, and requires the Department of Energy to designate and manage an elemental mercury long-term disposal facility. (White House news release, dated 10/14/08, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/10/20081014-9.html.)

3. NMFS Announces Fishery Management Plan Amendments

The National Marine Fisheries Service has announced the availability of Amendment 4 to the Spiny Lobster Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Amendment 8 to the Joint Spiny Lobster FMP of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic prepared by the Caribbean, South Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils. Amendments 4 and 8 would establish minimum conservation standards for imported spiny lobster. Comments are due by 5 p.m. on December 15, 2008. (Notice, FR Pub 10/15/08, available at http://federalregister.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2008-24484_PI.pdf.)

4. DDTC Posts September 2008 Export Licensing Processing Times

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has updated its defense export licensing processing times to include September 2008. (Notice, dated 10/01/08, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/metrics/index.html.)

5. DOJ Issues Fact Sheet on Operation Central Arrests

The Department of Justice has issued a fact sheet on Operation Central, which discusses the arrests and guilty pleas of seven individuals who took part in the illegal international trade of skins and products made from protected sea turtles and other wildlife. (Fact sheet available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2008/October/08-enrd-916.html.)

6. FSIS Issues Puerto Rico Firm Recall on Frozen Beef Products

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a report stating Packers Provision, a Puerto Nuevo, Puerto Rico, establishment, is recalling approximately 420 pounds of frozen beef trim that may be contaminated with E. coli. (Report available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_038_2008_Release/index.asp.)

7. FDA Posts Enforcement Report for October 8th

FDA has posted its Enforcement Report for the week of October 8, 2008. The report contains information on actions taken in connection with agency Regulatory activities. (Report, dated 10/08/08, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ENFORCE/2008/ENF01076.htmlhttp://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ENFORCE/2008/ENF01076.html.)

8. Republic of Georgia Business Summit

U.S. Commerce Deputy Secretary Sullivan will host a business summit on October 27, 2008 to highlight trade and investment opportunities in Georgia and share information about how to participate in Georgia’s reconstruction. (Notice available at http://www.export.gov/georgiasummit/doc_eg_georgiasummit_index.asp.)

9. TWIC Deployment Update

The Transportation Worker Identification Credential has updated its deployment Web site. (Web site available at http://twicinformation.tsa.dhs.gov/twicinfo/index.jsp.)

10. AMS Increases Membership on Cattlemen's Beef Promotion Board

The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a final rule, effective October 11, 2008, increasing the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board (Board) membership from 104 to 106 members, to reflect changes in beef imports, etc. (AMS final rule, D/N LS--07--0141, FR Pub 10/10/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-24115.pdf)

11. APHIS Voluntary Trichinae Certification Program for U.S. Pork

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued a final rule, effective November 10, 2008, amending its regulations to establish a voluntary Trichinae Certification Program for U.S. pork that has been produced under disease-prevention conditions. Such a program should enhance the export of pork and pork products. (APHIS final rule, D/N APHIS--2006--0089, FR Pub 10/10/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-23678.pdf)

12. FSIS Initiates Process to Review Policies of Animal Raising Claims

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a notice to initiate a public process to review its policies regarding the approval of animal raising claims (e.g., "raised without antibiotics") in the labeling of meat and poultry products. A public meeting on this topic will be held on October 14, 2008. (FSIS notice, D/N 2008-0026, FR Pub 10/10/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-24191.pdf)

13. MCC Report on Criteria & Methodology for Eligibility Determinations

The Millennium Challenge Corporation has issued a notice providing its report on the criteria and methodology for determining the eligibility of candidate countries for Millennium Challenge account assistance in fiscal year 2008. (MCC notice, FR Pub 10/10/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-24206.pdf)

14. BIS Order Renews Temporary Denial Order

The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued an Order renewing for 180 days the Temporary Denial Order for ten entities, including Aviation Services International B.V., Delta Logistics B.V., etc. (BIS Order, FR Pub 10/10/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-23806.pdf)

15. Commerce Announces Program to Promote Nuclear Sales Abroad

Commerce Secretary Gutierrez announced the Commerce Department Civil Nuclear Trade Initiative, to promote U.S. nuclear industry sales abroad. Through this initiative, the Commerce Department can be a partner in the nuclear renaissance by helping to open international markets for U.S. nuclear technologies. (Commerce press release, dated 10/08/08, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/TopNews/PROD01_007349)

16. Individual Sentenced for Trafficking Protected Sea Turtle Species

The Justice Department reports that Martin Villegas Terrones, a Mexican national, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for his role in an illegal smuggling operation that trafficked in protected sea turtle species. (Justice Dept. press release, dated 10/09/08, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2008/October/08-enrd-915.html)

17. FSIS Posts Updated Meat/Poultry/Egg Inspection Directory

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted an updated "Meat, Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Directory," a listing of establishments that produce meat, poultry, and/or egg products regulated by FSIS. (FSIS directory available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/MPI_Directory_Establishment_Name.pdf)

18. DHS OIG Report on DHS' FY 2008 Information Security Program

The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General has released its report entitled "Evaluation of DHS’ Information Security Program for Fiscal Year 2008." (DHS OIG report, dated September 2008, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_08-94_Sep08.pdf)

19. Revised FDA Import Alerts

The Food and Drug Administration issued the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:

· Raw Agricultural Products for Pesticides (Revised) (#99-14)

· Laser Pointers, Laser Gunsights, Laser Levels, Laser Light Shows, Laser Pointer Key Chains, & Similar Products that Fail to Comply with Applicable Performance Standards and Reporting Requirements (#95-04)

20. Revised CBSA Memoranda, Forms

The Canada Border Services Agency posted revised versions of the following:

· Memorandum D17-1-2: Reporting and Accounting for Low Value Commercial Goods (Under CAN$1,600) Goods eligible for Release Under the Courier Imports Remission Order

· Memorandum D1-3-1: Fees for Information and Records

· Memorandum D11-6-7: Importers' Dispute Resolution Process for Origin, Tariff Classification, and Value for Duty of Imported Goods

· Form: NEXUS Application

Form: Cross-Border Currency or Monetary Instruments Report - Individual