Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. BIS Announces February 18th ETRAC Meeting on Deemed Exports

2. AAFA Launches Industry Haiti Reconstruction Task Force

In an effort to support and provide long-term assistance to the people of Haiti, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has announced it has created the Haiti-AAFA Recovery and Reconstruction Team, a member-led task force that will provide key apparel, footwear, and textile industry insight as relief operations continue and reconstruction planning begins in Haiti. (Press release, dated 02/02/10, available at https://www.apparelandfootwear.org/UserFiles/File/PressReleases/2010/020210AAFALaunchesIndustryHaitiReconstructionTaskForce.pdf)

3. USDA to Develop New Framework for Animal Disease Traceability

Secretary Vilsack announced that USDA will develop a new, flexible framework for animal disease traceability in the U.S., and undertake several other actions to further strengthen its disease prevention and response capabilities. (News release, dated 02/05/10, available at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB/.cmd/ad/.ar/sa.retrievecontent/.c/6_2_1UH/.ce/7_2_5JM/.p/5_2_4TQ/.d/1/_th/J_2_9D/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?PC_7_2_5JM_contentid=2010%2F02%2F0053.xml&PC_7_2_5JM_parentnav=LATEST_RELEASES&PC_7_2_5JM_navid=NEWS_R)

4. USDA Finalizes Revised Regulatory Period for Grape Marketing Order

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule revising the regulatory period when minimum grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements apply to southeastern California grapes under Marketing Order No. 925, and to imported grapes under the table grape import regulation, from April 20-August 15 of each year to April 10-July 10 of each year. (D/N AMS-FV-06-0184; FV03-925-1 FIR, FR Pub 02/05/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-2542.pdf)

5. CITES Previews Illegal Wildlife Trade Issues for its Upcoming Conference

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species states that new measures to conserve and manage sustainably the bluefin tuna, elephant populations and a wide range of sharks, corals, reptiles, insects and plants are being proposed by governments that will attend the next triennial world CITES conference that will be held in Doha, Qatar, from March 13 - 25, 2010. (Press release, dated 02/05/10, available at http://www.cites.org/eng/news/press_release.shtml)

6. President Orders Task Force to Develop Plan on Carbon Capture/Storage

The President has issued an administrative order stating that the Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage shall develop within 180 days of February 3, 2010 a proposed plan to overcome the barriers to the widespread, cost-effective deployment of CCS within 10 years, with a goal of bringing 5 to 10 commercial demonstration projects online by 2016. (FR Pub 02/05/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-2744.pdf)

7. State & Interturbine Settle Proposed Charges of Violations of AECA, ITAR

The State Department and Interturbine Aviation Logistics Gmbh, Germany and its Texas Branch Office, Interturbine Aviation Logistics GmbH, LLC (Interturbine), have reached an agreement to resolve violations of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) committed by Interturbine in August and September of 2004. (Press release, dated 02/03/10, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/02/136451.htm)

8. APHIS Animal Product PPQ Manual Updated

On February 2, 2010, 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 02/02/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/apm.shtml)

9. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Import PPQ Manual Updated

On February 3, 2010, APHIS updated its Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Import PPQ Manual. The manual lists by country fruits and vegetables that are admissible into the United States. It includes a description of methods for sampling and inspecting selected fruits and vegetables. It also contains pictorial identification guides, and a glossary for common and scientific names of fruits and vegetables. (Manual, updated 02/03/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/fv.pdf)

10. APHIS Nursery Stock Restrictions PPQ Manual Updated

On January 26, 2010, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Nursery Stock Restrictions Manual. This Manual summarizes the entry status of regulated plant materials capable of and intended for propagation. (Manual, updated 01/26/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/nursery_stock.pdf)

11. Seeds Not for Planting PPQ Manual

On February 2, 2010, APHIS updated its Seeds Not for Planting Manual. The manual is used for regulating importations of unprocessed seeds that are imported for consumption and are not intended for planting. (Manual, updated 02/02/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/seeds_not_for_planting.pdf)

12. FSIS Issues Notice for its Inspection Personnel and Public

FSIS has issued the following notice:

Directive 7120.1 (February 4, 2010): Safe and Suitable Ingredients Used in the Production of Meat and Poultry Products - Revision 1

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 country:

South Africa Plant List (Revised February 3, 2010)