Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. LB Ports to Consider Revisions to CTP on March 23rd Meeting

2. CBO Preliminary Analysis of the President's FY 2010 Budget

The Congressional Budget Office has posted a preliminary analysis of the President's FY 2010 budget which contains CBO's latest projections for the budget and economic outlook, updating the projections published in early January 2009. CBO will review the complete plan after the Administration submits it to the Congress later this spring. (CBO analysis, dated 03/09, available at http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/100xx/doc10014/03-20-PresidentBudget.pdf)

3. Request to Amend Hours of Operation for Bridge on the U.S.-Mexico Border Near McAllen, TX, and Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico

The Department of State has published notice that it received a request to amend the Presidential permit that the Department issued in 1999 for the Anzalduas international bridge on the U.S.-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas and Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The permittee proposes the removal of article 17 which limit the initial hours of operation to twelve hours per day, seven days per week for vehicular traffic.' (State department notice, FR Pub 03/23/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-6324.pdf)

4. OMB Approves DOD Buy American Interim Final Rule on Construction Materials

The Office of Management and Budget has approved a Department of Defense interim final rule on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-Buy American Requirements for Construction Material. (OMB rule available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoReviewSearch;jsessionid=0a65171430d6b55ac0caf4db4aae85f5bca08634c889.e38Nch4NbhuNa40LbN8Tb3aKa38Le6fznA5Pp7ftolbGmkTy)

5. Nov 2008 FDA Report on Aquaculture and Seafood Inspection Available

In November 2008, the Food and Drug Administration posted to its Web site its report to Congress titled: Section 1006 - Enhanced Aquaculture and Seafood Inspection. The report provides an overview of domestic and foreign seafood processor inspections, how the FDA regulates importers and imports the number of inspections of U.S. seafood importers and foreign seafood processors for FY 2004-2006, etc. FDA Report entitled: "Section 1006 - Enhanced Aquaculture and Seafood Inspection" (dated 11/20/09) available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/lrd/seartc08.html

6. DOE Final Rule Implements Technical Amendment on Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer, Commercial and Industrial Products

The Department of Energy has issued a technical amendment as a final rule, effective March 23, 2009, to place the energy conservation standards and test procedures, and related definitions, prescribed in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 for certain consumer products and commercial and industrial equipment in the Code of Federal Regulations. (DOE Rule, FR Pub 03/23/09,available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-5935.pdf)

7. DOE Submits Final Rule to OMB on Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential Ranges, Ovens, Microwaves, Etc.

On March 20, 2009, the Department of Energy submitted to the Office of Management and Budget its final rule to update the current energy efficiency standards for residential electric and gas ranges and ovens, microwave ovens, and commercial clothes washers. (DOE rule available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoReviewSearch;jsessionid=0a65171430d6b55ac0caf4db4aae85f5bca08634c889.e38Nch4NbhuNa40LbN8Tb3aKa38Le6fznA5Pp7ftolbGmkTy)

8. EPA Submits Proposed Rule to OMB on Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Findings

The Environmental Protection Agency submitted a proposed rule to OMB on March 20, 2009 regarding endangerments findings for Greenhouse Gases under the Clean Air Act. (EPA rule available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoReviewSearch;jsessionid=0a65171430d6b55ac0caf4db4aae85f5bca08634c889.e38Nch4NbhuNa40LbN8Tb3aKa38Le6fznA5Pp7ftolbGmkTy)

9. DOT Proposes New Rights to Fly to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Department of Transportation has proposed to award Continental Airlines and US Airways new rights to fly to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. If the decision is finalized, Continental could operate a new daily nonstop roundtrip flight from Houston as early as June 1 and US Airways could begin a new daily nonstop roundtrip flight from Charlotte, NC on Oct. 1. (DOT proposal, dated 03/20/09, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/dot3409.htm)

10. NTIS Now Accepting Orders for 2009 Edition of Export Administration Regs

The National Technical Information Service is now accepting orders for the 2009 edition of the Export Administration Regulations, which should be available on or about April 5, 2009. The EA Regulations are meant to protect the U.S. from foreign threats. Failure to comply with the EA Regulations can result in adverse publicity, loss of export privileges, fines, and imprisonment. Information on ordering the EA regulations is included in the notice. (NTIS notice, FR Pub 03/23/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-6348.pdf)

11. GAO Says DHS Has Taken Steps to Improve its FOIA Program, But Opportunities Exist for Improvement

The Government Accountability Office reports that the Department of Homeland Security has taken steps to enhance its FOIA program, such as reducing its backlog of overdue requests by 24%, but opportunities exist for improve and cost effectiveness, such as improving internal monitoring and oversight. (GAO report GAO-09-260, dated 03/09, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09260.pdf)

12. GAO Report on Stemming Seafood Fraud

The GAO has issued a report stating that Food and Drug Administration program changes, and better collaboration among CBP, NMFS and FDA, could improve the detection and prevention of seafood fraud. (GAO report GAO-09-258, dated 02/09, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09258.pdf)

13. Transcript of DHS Secretary Press Event

The Department of Homeland Security has posted a transcript of a March 19, 2009 "pen and pad session" with DHS Secretary Napolitano. The session focused on border violence and weapons issues. (DHS transcript, dated 03/19/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/speeches/sp_1237552639932.shtm)

14. DHS DAS Testimony on Biometric Identification

DHS has posted the testimony of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Kathleen Kraninger, Screening Coordination, and Director Robert A. Mocny, US-VISIT, National Protection and Programs Directorate, before the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Homeland Security hearing on "Biometric Identification." (DHS press release, dated 03/19/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/testimony/testimony_1237563811984.shtm)

15. WTO Adopts Panel Report in China IPR Dispute

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announcing that the WTO formally ruled that several aspects of China's legal regime for protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights are inconsistent with China's obligations under the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement). The U.S. brought this dispute against China because of concerns that Chinese law does not adequately provide for the protection and enforcement of copyrights and trademarks on a wide range of products. (USTR news release, dated 03/20/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2009/March/asset_upload_file975_15433.pdf)

16. USTR/EU Trade Commissioner Statement

The Office of the USTR has posted the joint statement of USTR Kirk and EU Trade Commissioner Ashton at the conclusion of their March 19th meeting. (USTR news release, dated 03/19/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2009/March/asset_upload_file541_15430.pdf)

17. WTO Posts Official Program of Meetings for 2009

The World Trade Organization has posted its official program of meetings for 2009. (WTO Program, dated 03/20/09, available at http://www.wto.org/meets_public/meets_e.pdf)

18. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recall

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recall:

(CPSC Notice, dated 03/09, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelmar09.html)

19. Revised FDA Import Alerts

The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:

Processed Seafood and Analogue Seafood (Surimi) Products for L. Monocytogenes

Dentifrice Products Containing Diethylene Glycol (DEG)

and Guidance of Foods Containing Illegal and/or Undeclared Colors

Fungus (Mushrooms) from Hong Kong and China for Filth

Imported Food Products Due to NLEA Violations

Seafood Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella

Food Products Containing Illegal/Undeclared Sweeteners

and Surveillance of Surgeon's and/or Patient Examination Gloves

Swordfish for Methyl Mercury

20. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

China Market Development Reports: "A" is for Apple and "C" is for China... a view from the south

Japan Market Development Reports: FOODEX JAPAN 2009

Mexico Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Food Safety: Mexico Announces Three States as Free of Classical Swine Fever

Philippines Livestock and Products: Philippine Hog Industry Update

Russian Federation Poultry and Products: Poultry Semi-Annual Report

Turkey Tree Nuts: Semi Annual