Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. World Bank Reports 52% Global Increase in 2009 AD/CV Cases, Etc.

2. China's JCCT Commitments from 2004-2009 and Their Status

The U.S.-China Business Council has outlined the commitments China made from 2004-2009 under the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade. The report also outlines the status of each commitment. (Report, dated 10/21/09, available at http://www.uschina.org/public/documents/2009/10/jcct_commitments.pdf)

3. CITES Newsletter Editorial on Lacey Act and Ramin Wood

A CITES quarterly newsletter on tropical timber species contains an editorial on the Lacey Act Amendments which states that Indonesia and Malaysia (the key range states for Gonystylus spp. (ramin)) are taking steps to enhance the ability of their personnel to identify and label ramin products at the species level, in order to meet the requirements of the amended Lacey Act. (Newsletter, dated September 2009, available at http://www.cites.org/eng/news/sundry/2009/ITTO3.pdf)

4. FTC Announces Settlement Agreement with Rayon Clothes Maker for Deceptive "Bamboo" Claims

The Federal Trade Commission has announced a settlement with the M Group, Inc. d/b/a Bamboosa for its alleged false claims that rayon apparel is "made of bamboo fiber", retains bamboo's antimicrobial properties, and is biodegradable. (News release, dated 10/22/09, available at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/bamboosa.shtm)

5. Long Beach Posts Draft Motor Carrier Registration Agreement

The Port of Long Beach has posted a draft Motor Carrier Registration and Agreement document to its website. As part of the agreement struck with the ATA, all motor carriers wishing to perform drayage services at the Port of Long Beach must, via this Form, register with the Port and agree to provide certain operational information to assist the Port in monitoring motor carrier compliance with various safety, environmental, and security regulations pertaining to the provision of drayage services at the Port. (Agreement, posted 10/19/09, available at http://www.polb.com/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=6839)

6. DHS Grant Funds Coast Guard-Led Security Initiative at Port of Charleston

On October 23, 2009, DHS Secretary Napolitano and Senator Graham announced an agreement between the Department of Homeland Security and the state of South Carolina to use $800,000 in fiscal year 2009 homeland security grant funds to support state and local law enforcement personnel involved in SeaHawk, a U.S. Coast Guard-led security initiative operating at the Port of Charleston. (Press release, dated 10/23/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1256320448021.shtm.)

7. WTO to Hold Ministerial Conference on Functioning of Multilateral Trading System

The World Trade Organization has posted information on the seventh WTO Ministerial Conference to be held November 30 to December 2, 2009 in Geneva. The general theme for discussion will be "The WTO, the Multilateral Trading System and the Current Global Economic Environment". The meeting is not intended as a negotiating session, but a broader evaluation of the functioning of the multilateral trading system. (Notice, posted 10/22/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/minist_e/min09_e/min09_e.htm)

8. APHIS to Hold Meeting on Oct. 27th on Increase in AQI User Fees

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has announced a public meeting on October 27, 2009 to address affected stakeholders' questions and concerns regarding the agricultural quarantine and inspection user fee increases scheduled to go into effect on November 1, 2009. (D/N APHIS-2009-0048, FR Pub 10/23/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-25548.pdf)

9. FSIS to Hold Public Meeting to Prepare for Next Codex Meeting on Food Hygiene

The Food Safety and Inspection Service will hold a public meeting on October 28, 2009 to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the 41st Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in San Diego, California, from November 16 through November 20, 2009. (D/N FSIS-2009-0030, FR Pub 10/23/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-25527.pdf)

10. OMB Approves DHS Proposed Rule on Mariana Islands as USA, Employment Eligibility

The Office of Management and Budget has approved a Department of Homeland Security proposed rule to reference to the CNMI as a U.S. territory or possession and inserting CNMI in all references to the geographical "United States." This rule also proposes that certain CNMI-issued documents be accepted as evidence of both identity and work authorization for a 2-year transition period, etc. (Rule, completed 10/22/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200904&RIN=1615-AB77)

11. OFAC Adds Individuals, Entity to SDN List

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has added six individuals and one entity to its Specially Designated Nationals list. (List, dated 10/22/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20091022.shtml)

12. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

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

(CPSC recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereloct09.html)

13. FAS Reports Acceptance of DEIP Bids for Cheddar, Mozzarella, and Butter

The Foreign Agricultural Service reports that the Commodity Credit Corporation has accepted bids under the Dairy Export Incentive Program from exporter Hoogwegt U.S., Inc. for butter (10/22/09), cheddar cheese (10/22/09), and mozzarella (10/22/09), all to Africa and the Middle East.

14. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

Korea Market Brief for Tree Nuts: Tree Nuts

United Arab Emirates Kuwait Bans Live Birds and Hatching Eggs from Kentucky and Minnesota: Poultry and Products

15. Canada's DFAIT Posts Notices on 2010 TRQs for Ice Cream & Natural Milk Constituents

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has posted a notices to inform importers of the Minister's policies and practices regarding the administration of the 2010 484,000 kg tariff rate quota (TRQ) for ice cream and ice cream noveltiesand the 4,345,000 kg TRQ for products of natural milk constituents.