Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Canada and India have signed two Memorandums of Understanding: (i) a MOU to launch a joint study group to formulate the parameters of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA); and (ii) a MOU on Energy Cooperation. (Notice, dated 11/17/09, available at http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do;jsessionid=ac1b105330d85644cc998b534d26a1cb804fd4c3f8a3.e38RbhaLb3qNe38TaxuMa30Sai0?crtr.sj1D=&mthd=tp&crtr.mnthndVl=&nid=496789&crtr.dpt1D=&crtr.tp1D=1&crtr.lc1D=&crtr.yrStrtVl=&crtr.kw=&crtr.dyStrtVl=&crtr.aud1D=&crtr)
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1. Canada & India Considering Economic Partnership Agreement, Etc.
2. Europe to Extend Energy Labeling Beyond Household Products
The European Parliament and the European Council have reached agreement on a Labeling Directive paving the way for legislation to extend the scope of the directive from household goods to all energy-related products. (Press release, dated 11/18/09, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1734&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)
3. EU-China Launch Standards Portal
The European Union and China have launched a Standards Information Portal which provides information on relevant standardization institutions, standardization systems, standards and latest trends in Europe and China. China has similar portals with seven different countries, including the U.S. (News release, dated 11/18/09, available at http://english.aqsiq.gov.cn/NewsRelease/NewsUpdates/200911/t20091118_130913.htm)
4. WCO and African Development Bank Agree to Cooperate on Customs Modernization
During a November 17, 2009 meeting in Tunisia, the World Customs Organization Secretary General and the President of the African Development Bank agreed to develop a Memorandum of Understanding identifying areas of cooperation in support of economic development in Africa through Customs modernization. (Report, dated 11/17/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/speeches/?v=1&lid=1&cid=2&id=180)
5. FDA Extends Comments Period for Info on Acrylamide in Food
The Food and Drug Administration is extending to January 25, 2010, the comment period for its August 26, 2009 request for comments and scientific data and information on acrylamide in food. FDA states that comments will assist in FDA's development of guidance for industry, should FDA decide to issue such guidance. (D/N FDA-2009-N-0393, FR Pub 11/18/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-27692.pdf)
6. APHIS Animal Product PPQ Manual Updated
On November 16, 2009, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Animal Product Manual. This Manual provides the background, procedures, and regulatory actions to enforce the regulations governing the import and export of animals, animal products, and animal by-products. (Manual, updated 11/16/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/apm.shtml)
7. Seeds Not for Planting PPQ Manual Updated
On November 17, 2009, APHIS updated its Seeds Not for Planting PPQ Manual. The manual is used for regulating importations of unprocessed seeds that are imported for consumption and are not intended for planting. (Manual, updated 11/17/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/seeds_not_for_planting.pdf)
8. OMB Approves FSIS Final Rule on Nutrition Labeling of Single-Ingredient Products and Ground or Chopped Meat and Poultry Products
The Office of Management and Budget has approved a Food Safety and Inspection Service final rule to amend the Federal meat and poultry products inspection regulations to require nutrition labeling for the major cuts of single-ingredient, raw meat and poultry products, either on their label or at their point-of-purchase, unless an exemption applies. A similar requirement would also take effect for ground or chopped meat and poultry products. (Rule, completed 11/17/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200904&RIN=0583-AC60)
9. FDA MOU to Provide Better Consumer Info on Safety Issues, Recalls
The FDA is providing notice of a memorandum of understanding between FDA and Waterfront Media to extend the reach of FDA Consumer Health Information and to provide consumers with better information and timely content concerning public health and safety topics, including alerts of emerging safety issues and product recalls. (D/N FDA-2009-N-0667, FR Pub 11/18/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-27630.pdf)
10. FDA Posts Import Refusal Report for October
The Food and Drug Administration has posted the Import Refusal Report for October 2009. This report covers import refusals involving FDA-regulated products, including cosmetics. The IRR is generated from data collected by FDA's Operational and Administrative System for Import Support (OASIS) and is updated monthly. (Report, posted 11/17/09, available at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/ImportRefusals/ir_byCountry.cfm?DYear=2009&DMonth=10)
11. Canada's DFAIT to Hold Domestic & Export Controls Seminars
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada will hold a series of domestic and export controls seminars across Canada starting in November 2009 and ending in March 2010. (Notice, posted 11/18/09, available at http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/about-a_propos/expor/events-evenements.aspx?menu_id=74&menu=R)
12. FTZB Actions and Announcements
13. Updated List of Instructions and U.S. Plants for Exporting Meat and Poultry to Foreign Countries
FSIS has provided updated information for the export of U.S. meat and poultry to the following countries:
Vietnam (November 17, 2009)
Russia Plant List (Poultry) (November 17, 2009)
European Union (November 16, 2009)
14. 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:
Fish/Fishery Products from Foreign Processors (Mfrs.) Not in Compliance with Seafood HACCP
15. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
Columbia The Altillanura- Colombia's Next Agricultural Frontier: Agricultural Situation
Brazil Retail Food Sector: 2009
Canada This Week in Canadian Agriculture Issue 29: Agriculture in the News
Colombia Coffee Semi-Annual: Coffee Production Expected to Rebound After Dramatic Reduction
India Coffee Semi-Annual: 2009
India Rice Monthly Update - November: Grain and Feed
China Dairy and Products Annual: 2009 Annual Report
Mexico Sugar Semi-Annual: Sugar
China Weekly Hongbao: Agricultural Situation
India Weekly Highlights and Hot Bites No. 46: Agriculture in the News
India Draft Code of Self Regulation in Food Advertisement: FAIRS Subject Report
Russian Federation Rice Import Duty Increased: Grain and Feed, Trade Policy Monitoring
16. Agency Seeks Comments on Information Collection
Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collection for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notice for specific details):
Agency Information Collection Comments Due
| CBP | Application for Allowance in Duties (Form 4315) | 12/18/09 |
(Information collection notice is hyperlinked to agency name.)