Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. ITA Announces Sept 2010 Export Trade Mission to Colombia, Panama

2. ITA Announces June 2010 Caribbean Trade Mission

The International Trade Administration and the U.S. Commercial Service post in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, will organize a Caribbean matchmaking trade mission in June 2010, which will introduce participants to international agents, distributors and end-users whose capabilities are targeted to each U.S. participants' needs in that particular market. (FR Pub 03/03/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-4347.pdf)

3. ITA Announces April 2010 Civil Nuclear Policy Mission to Eastern Europe

The International Trade Administration is organizing a Civil Nuclear Policy Mission to Warsaw, Poland; Prague, Czech Republic and Bratislava, Slovakia from April 18-23, 2010, which will promote U.S. companies from across the civil nuclear supply chain, including engineering services; fuel providers and processing services; reactor designers and builders; and small modular reactor technologies. (FR Pub 03/03/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-4349.pdf)

4. USDA Looking at Stricter Enforcement of Organic Standards

The Agriculture Department states in its Daily Radio Newsline for March 2, 2010, that USDA will be looking at tougher enforcement of organic standards. (Radio Newsline, posted 03/02/10, available at http://audioarchives.oc.usda.gov/radnewsdetail.asp?ID=11840)

5. USDA Says Increasing Ethanol Content of Gas is Under Review

USDA states in its Daily Radio Newsline for March 2, 2010, that EPA's decision to allow more than 10% ethanol in gasoline is awaiting government tests of how higher blends affect various car engines. (Radio Newsline, posted 03/02/10, available at http://audioarchives.oc.usda.gov/radnewsdetail.asp?ID=11848)

6. CPSC Open Meeting March 10th on Civil Penalty Factor Final Rule, Toddler Bed Proposed Rule

The Commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission will hold an open meeting on March 10, 2010 to discuss a pending final rule on civil penalty factors and a proposed rule on toddler beds. A live webcast of the meeting will be available at www.cpsc.gov/webcast/index.html. (CPSC calendar available at http://www.cpsc.gov/calendar.html)

7. FMCSA Implements Stringent Credit Card Verification Procedures

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is announcing that all credit card transactions now require verification of the credit card number, expiration date, security code, billing address and telephone number. To update a Docket Number (Operating Authority) and/or USDOT number information, separate Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) are required. (Notice, posted 03/02/10, available at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/Update-Docket-and-USDOT-Number.aspx)

8. PHMSA Safety Reminder on Composite Cargo Tank Motor Vehicle Testing

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has issued a safety advisory to remind all persons who manufacture or use composite cargo tank motor vehicles authorized under Department of Transportation special permits of the requirement to conduct testing to ensure that the material to be transported in the cargo tank is compatible with the materials used in the construction of the cargo tank. (D/N PHMSA-2010-0046; Notice No. 10-1, FR Pub 03/03/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-4318.pdf)

9. EPA Issues National Emission Standards for Certain Compression Engines

The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule, effective May 3, 2010, which contains national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants for certain stationary compression ignition reciprocating internal combustion engines and certain non-emergency stationary compression ignition engines. EPA is also revising provisions related to startup, shutdown, and malfunction for certain engines. (FR Pub 03/03/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-3508.pdf)

10. U.S. and Israel Announce Agreement to Enhance Joint Aviation Security

On March 2, 2010, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano and Israeli Transport and Road Safety Minister Katz announced a new agreement to enhance information sharing about civil aviation security incidents and ensure efficient and effective coordination in response to potential acts of terrorism and other aviation-related public safety emergencies. (Press release, dated 03/02/10, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1267540088589.shtm)

11. President Continues National Emergency with Respect to Zimbabwe

President Obama has announced that the national emergency with respect to the actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Zimbabwe and other persons to undermine Zimbabwe's democratic processes or institutions is to continue in effect beyond March 6, 2010. (Press release, dated 03/01/10, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/message-continuation-national-emergency-with-respect-zimbabwe)

12. OFAC Publishes Names of 7 Blocked Individuals, 1 Entity Under Kingpin Act

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the names of seven individuals and one entity whose property and interests in property have been blocked pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, effective February 25, 2010. (FR Pub 03/03/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-4373.pdf)

13. FTC to Review Three Agency Rules in 2010

The Federal Trade Commission is planning to review three of the agency's regulatory rules in 2010: one that affects grocery store advertising, a second that involves merchants who make credit available to customers purchasing their goods or services, and a third that sets labeling requirements for alternative fuels (hybrid, electricity) for vehicles. (News release, dated 03/02/10, available at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/03/wholefoods.shtm)

14. OMB Approves FWS Proposed Rule on Boas and Pythons

The Office of Management and Budget has approved the Fish and Wildlife Service's proposed rule regarding certain constrictor snakes in the Python, Boa, and Eunectes genera for possible listing as injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act. (Rule, completed 03/02/10, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200910&RIN=1018-AV68)

15. EU to Launch FTA Negotiations with Vietnam

On March 3, 2010, the European Union and Vietnam agreed to launch bilateral Free Trade Agreement negotiations. EU's annual bilateral trade in goods amounted to almost 12 billion in 2008, and trade has increased 12% annually during 2004-2008. Within ASEAN, Vietnam is the EC's fifth largest trading partner. (Press release, dated 03/02/10, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/219&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

16. EU to Launch FTA Negotiations with Singapore

The European Union has announced that it will launch negotiations for a free trade agreement between the EU and Singapore. The first round of negotiations is scheduled to take place from March 8-12, 2010 in Singapore. (Press release, dated 03/03/10, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/228&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

17. 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:

95-04: Laser Pointers, Laser Gunsights, Laser Levels, Laser Light Shows, Laser Pointer Key Chains, & Similar Products That Fail To Comply With Applicable Performance Standards And Reporting Requirements

34-02: Confectionery Products Containing Non-Nutritive Components

18. APHIS Export Program PPQ Manual Updated

On March 1, 2010, APHIS updated its PPQ Export Program Manual. This is an operational manual for Authorized Certification Officials to enable them to inspect and issue Federal Export Certificates for plants and plant products. The Manual also provides information that helps exporters meet the plant quarantine import requirements of foreign countries. (Manual, updated 03/01/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/domestic/xpm.shtml)

19. APHIS Imported Fire Ant Program PPQ Manual Updated

On March 1, 2010, APHIS updated its Imported Fire Ant Program PPQ Manual. This manual provides PPQ personnel and cooperators with information and procedures for surveys, regulatory actions, and treatments of regulated commodities associated with the Imported Fire Ant Quarantine, (7 CFR 301.81). (Manual, updated 03/01/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/domestic/downloads/fire_ant.pdf)

20. FSIS Updates Lists of Canada Establishments Eligible to Export Meat & Poultry

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued updated (March 2, 2010) version of its list of Canada establishments eligible to export meat and poultry to the U.S.

21. FSIS 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:

Colombia (Revised February 25, 2010)

Costa Rica (Revised March 1, 2010)

22. FSIS Issues Notices for its Inspection Personnel and Public

FSIS has issued the following notices:

Notice 11-10 (February 26, 2010): Sampling of Low Production Volume Raw Ground Beef Establishments for Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7 (Reissues Notice 08-09)

Directive 5500.2 (March 2, 2010): Significant Incident Response - Revision 4

23. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

Vietnam - Rice Price - Weekly: 2010

Egypt - Livestock and Products Annual

Russian Federation - State Subsidies Flush for Promoting Genetics Trade: Market Development Reports

Venezuela - The State will concentrate imports of strategic food products: Agricultural Situation

Tunisia - Oilseeds and Products Annual: 2010 Oilseeds and Products Annual

Thailand - Status of U.S. Meat and Bone Meal Market Access: Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Food Safety

Peru - Oilseeds and Products Annual: Annual Report

Taiwan - Completion of First Tranche of Taiwan 2010 SBS Rice CSQ Tenders: Grain and Feed

India - Weekly Highlights and Hot Bites No. 8: Agriculture in the News

Vietnam - Rice Trade - Monthly: February, 2010

Venezuela - Suggested prices for non-regulated food products: Agricultural Situation

EU-27 - Livestock and Products Semi-Annual: EU-27 Semi-Annual 2010

Ecuador - Exporter Guide Annual

24. FMC Lists OTI Revocations

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that revokes an ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) license, as follows:

(Notice, FR Pub 02/25/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-3765.pdf)

25. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for ocean transportation intermediary licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:

FMC notice (FR Pub 02/25/10) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-3764.pdf