Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
According to multiple press reports, agents with the Fish & Wildlife Service executed a search warrant at Gibson Guitar Corp's Nashville guitar plant on December 1, 2009 and seized various items, including an endangered form of rosewood from Madagascar. Andrew Ames, spokesman for the Justice Department, confirmed the raid but declined further comment. Gibson Guitar Corp. could be the first U.S. company to face prosecution under the Lacey Act Amendments.
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1. Gibson Guitar May Be First to Face Prosecution Under Lacey Act Amendments
2. USTR Says Doha Progress Must be Based on Substance, Broad Leadership
The World Trade Organization posted the remarks of various trade ministers, including U.S. Trade Representative Kirk, at the opening session of the ongoing WTO Ministerial Conference. Among other things, Kirk stated that while the U.S. is committed to achieving a strong outcome in the Doha negotiations and he believes success is possible in 2010, substance will drive progress. He adds that success is not something that any one Member, or any small group of Members, can deliver or dictate, and that every member of this leadership group is responsibility for it. Other statements available here. (Remarks, dated 11/30/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/minist_e/min09_e/stat_e/usa.doc)
3. California Approves New Energy Efficiency Standards for TVs Beginning January 1, 2011
The California Energy Commission has unanimously approved new energy efficiency standards for televisions sold in California after January 1, 2011. The standards mandate that new televisions sold in California with a screen measuring 58 inches or less consume 33% less electricity by 2011 (Tier 1) and 49% less electricity by 2013 (Tier 2). (CEC press release, dated 11/18/09, available at http://www.energy.ca.gov/releases/2009_releases/2009-11-18_tv_regulations.html)
4. State Dept Comments on November 29, 2009 Elections in Honduras
On November 30, 2009, the State Department held a briefing on the November 29, 2009 elections in Honduras. According to the State Department, while the election is a significant step, given the gravity of the coup d'tat and the polarization that Honduras has undergone, it is extremely important that Honduran leadership moving forward in the next few months attempt to follow the overall broad frameworks of the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord. (Briefing transcript, dated 11/30/09, available at http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rls/rm/2009/132777.htm.)
5. FY 2010 Ag Exports Expected to Rise to $98 Billion, Imports to $4.1 Billion
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that Fiscal Year 2010 agricultural exports are forecast at $98 billion, up $1 billion from the August forecast and $1.4 billion above final FY 2009. FY 2010 agricultural imports are forecast up $4.1 billion to $77.5 billion. Detailed quarterly export forecast available here. (Report, dated 11/30/09, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/cmp/outlook/2009/Nov-09/AES-11-30-2009.pdf)
6. WCO Statement on EU's Operation "Early Bird" on Proliferation, Dual-Use Sensitive Goods
The World Customs Organization has issued a press release on the first joint operation on the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and the dual-use of sensitive goods undertaken by 18 Customs administrations of EU Member States on behalf of the Council of the European Union. Operation "Early Bird" focused on preventing the movement through major airports of sensitive goods destined for sensitive countries. (Press release, dated 12/01/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/press/?v=1&lid=1&cid=6&id=199)
7. LA to Allow Qualified Prop. 1B Grant Applicants to Operate Trucks Past Ban Date
The Port of Los Angeles Harbor Commission has approved modifications to the Port of Los Angeles tariff to allow qualified Prop 1B grant applicants to continue operating their old trucks past the January 1, 2010 ban date while waiting for their new Prop 1B funded trucks to be delivered. The old trucks will be allowed to operate until April 30, 2010 or until their new Prop 1B-funded truck is delivered, whichever comes first. The approved extension is expected to become fully effective in early December, following the Los Angeles City Council review period under the City Charter. (News release, dated 12/01/09, available at http://www.portoflosangeles.org/newsroom/2009_releases/news_120109_banex.asp)
8. FMC Cancels December 9th Meeting
The Federal Maritime Commission's December 9, 2009 regularly scheduled meeting has been cancelled. (Notice, posted 12/01/09, available at http://www.fmc.gov/home/December9MeetingCancellation.asp)
9. FTC Announces Proposed Consent Agreement for Panasonic and Sanyo
The Federal Trade Commission has issued notice that it has accepted from Panasonic Corporation proposed consent orders that are designed to remedy the anticompetitive effects resulting from Panasonic's proposed acquisition of 100% of the voting securities of Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Under the terms of the Consent Agreement, Sanyo will divest its assets relating to the manufacture and sale of portable NiMH batteries to FDK Corporation, a subsidiary of Fujitsu, Ltd. Comments must be received on or before December 24, 2009. (FR Pub 12/01/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28745.pdf)
10. Treasury Extends Compliance Date for Final Rule on Unlawful Internet Gambling
The Treasury Department is extending the compliance date to June 1, 2010 (from December 1, 2009) for its final rule implementing applicable provisions of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. The final regulation requires nonexempt participants in designated payment systems to establish and implement written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to identify and block or otherwise prevent or prohibit unlawful Internet gambling transactions restricted by the Act. (FR Pub 12/01/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28746.pdf)
11. FDA Announces Availability of Guidance on "Listing of Ingredients in Tobacco Products"
The Food and Drug Administration is announcing the availability of a guidance entitled ''Listing of Ingredients in Tobacco Products.'' The guidance document is intended to assist persons making tobacco product ingredient submissions to FDA under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. (D/N FDA-2009-D-0524, FR Pub 12/01/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28747.pdf)
12. OFAC Lists 8 Individuals Whose Property and Interests in Property are Unblocked
The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the names of eight Colombian individuals whose property and interests in property have been unblocked effective November 24, 2009, pursuant to Executive Order 12978, Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions with Significant Narcotics Traffickers. (FR Pub 12/01/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28748.pdf)
13. Foreign Trade Zone Board Actions
FTZ 163. Applications For Expansion: Ponce, PR
FTZ 31. Approvals for Expansion of Manufacturing Authority: Subzone 31B; WRB Refining LLC (Oil Refinery), Madison County, Illinois
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:
Frozen Kingfish From Tri-Tee Seafood Company
Preserved Duck Eggs Due to Lead
Intensified Coverage of Cheese from the Azores/Portugal
Enriched Pasta Products for Standard of Identity
White or Brown Basmati Rice From India
15. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
Russian Federation Carrefour Abandons Russian Food Retail Market: Retail Food Sector
Canada This Week in Canadian Agriculture Issue 30: Agriculture in the News
Korea Distilled Spirits: Market Development Reports
China Biotechnology: FAIRS Subject Report
Nigeria Despite Large Harvests Nigerian Grain Prices Remain High: Grain and Feed
China Fresh Deciduous Fruit Annual
China Zhuhai, South China's city of romanceand more: Market Development Reports
Burma Beans and Pulses Monthly Trade Report - October: Grain and Feed
Thailand Weekly Rice Price Update: Grain and Feed
China Changsha, central China's dynamic pioneer: Market Development Reports
Israel Citrus Annual: Annual Report
Israel Exporter Guide Annual: Annual Report
Israel 2009 Quota Utilization - Ministry of Agriculture: Trade Policy Monitoring
16. Agency Seeks Comments on Information Collections
Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
Agency Information Collection Comments Due
| Miriam Family Cargo, Inc. (FL) | 10/22/09 |
(Notices, FR Pub 11/25/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28264.pdf and http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28265.pdf)