Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has issued a release regarding its hosting of more than 1,000 leading suppliers, Chinese officials, and NGOs in Beijing, China. The company outlined a series of aggressive goals and expectations to build a more environmentally and socially responsible global supply chain. (Wal-Mart press release, dated 10/22/08, available at http://walmartstores.com/FactsNews/NewsRoom/8696.aspx.)
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1. Wal-Mart Announces Global Responsible Sourcing Initiative at China Summit
2. WTO: World Trade Slipped to 6% Growth in 2007
The World Trade Organization has issued a news release announcing that world trade slipped to 6% growth in 2007, down from 8.5% in 2006. (WTO press release, dated 11/05/08, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news08_e/its_oct08_e.htm.)
3. WCO Reports on Workshop Held During Anti-Corruption Conference
The World Customs Organization has posted information regarding the workshop it recently held during the 13th International Anti-Corruption Conference. (Report available at http://www.wcoomd.org/speeches/?v=1&lid=1&cid=2&id=108.)
4. President Issues Letter to Congress on Conflict in Congo
The President has issued a letter to Congress regarding the national emergency with respect to the situation in or in relation to the Congo, and the related measures blocking the property of certain persons contributing to the conflict in that country. (Letter, dated 10/22/08, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/10/20081022-3.html.)
5. FDA Seizes Contaminated Heparin Manufactured from Imported China Material
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a news release announcing the seizure of 11 lots of heparin from Celsus Laboratories Inc. in Cincinnati, Ohio. These products, which were manufactured from material imported from China, had been found to be contaminated with over-sulfated chondroitin sulfate (OSCS), a substance that mimics heparin's anticoagulant activity. (FDA press release, dated 11/06/08, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01912.html)
6. President Issues Letter to Speaker of House, President of Senate on Jet Mills Exports to China
The President has issued a letter to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate certifying that export to China of two jet mills for fine grinding of friable or crystalline materials, etc. is not detrimental to the U.S. space launch industry, among other things. (Letter, dated 10/22/08, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/10/20081022-6.html.)
7. China-Taiwan Economic Symposia Start
The Embassy of China in the U.S. reports that the cross-strait China-Taiwan economic and financial symposia have started in Taipei. On Tuesday, November 4, 2008, the two countries signed agreements on direct shipping and flights, postal services, and food safety. (News release, dated 11/05/08, available at http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/xw/t521125.htm.)
8. CITES Issues List of Countries Subject to Trade Suspension
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Web site maintains a list, which is periodically updated, of countries subject to a current recommendation to suspend trade for certain species. (List, updated 11/05/08, available at http://www.cites.org/eng/news/sundry/trade_suspension.shtml.)
9. APHIS Launches Searchable Database for Fruit, Vegetable Import Requirements
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service launched a new, searchable database, known as FAVIR, for the fruits and vegetables import requirement. The FAVIR database allows customers to search for authorized fruits and vegetables, by commodity or country, and quickly and easily determine the general requirements for their importation into the U.S. (Press release, dated 10/29/08, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2008/10/q56_favir_ppq.shtml.)
10. APHIS Implements New Electronic System to Enhance Compliance with Biotechnology Regulations
APHIS has launched a new biotechnology compliance component to its ePermits system that will allow it to initiate, process and track compliance inspections for the field testing of regulated genetically engineered organisms. The ePermits system is a Web-based tool that allows the electronic filing, processing and tracking of permit applications. (Press release, dated 10/29/08, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2008/10/epermitbio.shtml.)
11. FSIS Updates Export Requirements, Plant Lists, Eligible Foreign Establishments
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted updated export requirements for the following countries: Ecuador (poultry, beef, animal casings), Russia (poultry, pork, beef, horsemeat, etc.), Taiwan(beef, pork, duck, etc.), Japan (beef, pork, etc.), and Japan (egg products). FSIS has also updated lists of U.S. plants approved to export beef and beef offal to Japan and beef, poultry, and pork to Mexico. In addition, FSIS updated its list of eligible foreign establishments in Ireland and Chilecertified to export meat and poultry to the U.S.
12. USDA Announces 85th Agricultural Outlook Forum in February 2009
The Department of Agriculture has announced its 85th Agricultural Outlook Forum, which will take place in Arlington, VA on February 26 - 27, 2009. (Announcement available at http://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/.)
13. DDTC's November 20th In-House Training Seminar is Full
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has issued a notice announcing that its In-House Training Seminar scheduled for November 20, 2008 is now full and registration forms are no longer being accepted. (DDTC notice available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/outreach/documents/Registration_Closed_11.20.doc.)
14. DDTC Revises Its "Federal Register Notices" Tab
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has revised the "Federal Register Notices" tab on its Web site. (DDTC Web page available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/FRN.html.)
15. BIS Corrects MTAC Meeting Date
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a notice correcting the date for the upcoming partially open meeting of the Materials Technical Advisory Committee. The meeting will take place on November 20, 2008 in Washington, DC. (BIS notice, FR Pub 11/07/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-26622.pdf)
16. State Dept Notice on Measures against Foreign Persons from Iran, North Korea, and Syria
The State Department has issued its determination, effective October 23, 2008, that thirteen foreign persons have engaged in activities that warrant the imposition of measures pursuant to Section 3 of the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act, which provides for penalties on entities and individuals for the illegal transfer or acquisition of equipment and technology. (State Dept notice, FR Pub 10/23/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-25316.pdf.)
17. State Dept Maintains Designation of Certain Organizations as Foreign Terrorists
The State Department has issued a notice announcing that Deputy Secretary of State has determined, based upon a review, that the following organizations shall be maintained as foreign terrorist organizations: the Basque Fatherland and Liberty, the National Liberation Army, the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hizballah, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - GC, the Kurdistan Workers Party, the Abu Sayyaf Group, and all associated aliases. (State Dept Public Notice 6423, FR Pub 10/06/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-26496.pdf.)
18. Treasury Department Designates Export Development Bank of Iran as a Proliferator
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has designated the Export Development Bank of Iran (EDBI) pursuant to Executive Order 13382 for providing or attempting to provide financial services to Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). (Press release HP-1231, dated 10/22/08, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp1231.htm.)
19. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls
The CPSC has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:
(Recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereloct08.html.)
20. CRS Reports
The Congressional Research Service has issued the following reports:
The 2008 Farm Bill: Major Provisions and Legislative Action
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Import Terminals: Siting, Safety, and Regulation
Potential Trade Effects of Adding Vietnam to the Generalized System of Preferences Program
21. Revised FDA Import Alerts
The Food and Drug Administration has issued revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:
Imported Soft Cheese (Including Soft And Soft Ripened Cheeses) from France (12-03)
Cheese Due to Microbiological Contamination (12-10)
Seafood Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella (16-81)
Fish and Fishery Products from Foreign Processor Not in Compliance with HACCP (16-120)
22. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
United Kingdom Exporter Guide: UK Exporter Guide
Netherlands Exporter Guide: Benelux 2008
Japan Fresh and Frozen Potato Products: Annual Commodity Report 2008
Japan Market Development Reports: Japan Food Trends October 2008
India Agricultural Situation: Weekly Highlights & Hot Bites, 42
China, Peoples Republic of Agricultural Situation: Weekly Hongbao 2008
Belgium-Luxembourg Exporter Guide: Benelux 2008
Brazil Grain and Feed: Grain Update - July 2008
Canada Potatoes and Potato Products: Annual
Colombia Sugar: Cane Workers Strike Reducing Production and Exports
India Agricultural Situation: Weekly Highlights & Hot Bites, 44
Indonesia Grain and Feed: Update
Italy Biotechnology: Attack on the "Anti-Cancer" Tomatoes
Malaysia Oilseeds and Products: Update (October)
Pakistan Grain and Feed: Pakistan Poised to Become World's Third Largest Rice Exporter
Russian Federation Grain and Feed: Grain November Update
South Africa Grain and Feed: Quarterly Update
Thailand Cotton and Products: Outlook Update
Thailand Grain and Feed: Grain Update
Venezuela Agricultural Situation: Foreign Exchange Control
23. CBSA Revised Memoranda
The Canada Border Services Agency posted revised versions of the following D-Memoranda:
o D5-1-1: CBSA International Mail Processing System
o D5-2-2: International Mail Destined for Canadian Forces Post Offices
24. I.E. Canada Workshop Series on Customs Process and Tariff Classification
The Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters (I.E. Canada) has posted information to its "Events" Web page stating that it will be holding one day seminar series on cost saving strategies in the customs process and Harmonized System tariff classification on December 2 - 11, 2008. (Announcement available at http://www.iecanada.com/events.html.)
25. FTZB Application Notice
The Foreign Trade Zone Board issued the following:
FTZ 38 - Spartanburg, SC - Application for Subzone Status for Adidas Sales, Inc. (Athletic Footwear and Apparel Distribution)