Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

President Obama has issued a determination that identifies the following countries as major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries: Afghanistan, The Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela. (FR Pub 09/23/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-23100.pdf)

2. Candy and Fruit Flavored Cigarettes Now Illegal in U.S.

The Food and Drug Administration has announced its September 22 ban on cigarettes with flavors characterizing fruit, candy, or clove. The ban, authorized by the new Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, is part of a national effort by the FDA to reduce smoking in America. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in America. Announcement in Spanish available here. (News release, dated 09/22/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm183211.htm)

3. TTB Delays Changes for Roll-Your-Own and Pipe Tobacco

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has issued a temporary rule which, among other things, extends the use-up period for roll-your-own tobacco and pipe tobacco through March 23, 2010. TTB also issued a companion proposed rule with identical text. Comments on the proposed rule are due by November 23, 2009. (TTB temporary rule (FR Pub 09/24/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-23180.pdf; TTB proposed rule (FR Pub 09/24/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-23173.pdf.)

4. USDA Names Members to Child and Forced Labor Consultative Groups

On September 23, 2009, Agriculture Secretary Vilsack appointed 13 members to the Consultative Group to Eliminate the Use of Child Labor and Forced Labor in Imported Agricultural Products. The group, which was established by the 2008 Farm Bill, will develop and make recommendations by June 2010 regarding guidelines to reduce the likelihood that agricultural products imported into the United States are produced with the use of child or forced labor. (Press release, dated 09/23/09, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0239-09)

5. USDA Vilsack and Chinese Agriculture Minister Agree to Renew Cooperation Agreement

USDA Secretary Vilsack welcomed China’s Minister of Agriculture Sun Zhengcai to the U.S. on September 22, 2009 to discuss a wide range of agricultural trade issues. They concluded their talks by renewing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on bilateral cooperation in scientific research and agricultural trade between the two countries. The original MOU signed in August 2003 established a Joint Committee on Cooperation in Agriculture (JCCA), which meets at least once every two years alternately in the United States and China. (Press release, dated 09/22/09, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0237-09)

6. China’s Economy Expected to Expand 8.2% in 2009

China’s Ministry of Commerce states that according to a recent report by the Asian Development Bank, China's economy rebounded stronger than expected and is now forecast to expand by 8.2 percent in 2009. The new projection for this year is higher than the bank's previous forecast of 7% on March 31st and above the goal of 8% set by the central government. Additional MOFCOM press release available here. (News release, dated 09/23/09, available at http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/commonnews/200909/20090906530907.html)

7. U.S.-China Business Council Posts Timeline for Bilateral Trade Enforcement Actions

The U.S.-China Business Council has posted a timeline for U.S.-China bilateral trade enforcement actions. (Timeline, dated 09/16/09, available at http://www.uschina.org/public/documents/2009/trade_enforcement_timeline.pdf)

8. CPSC Launches ‘CPSC 2.0’ Social Media Outreach Campaign

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is launching “CPSC 2.0,” a comprehensive social networking initiative that will make lifesaving and other safety information more accessible to consumers. Consumers can now find CPSC on its “OnSafety” blog, which has messages, articles, videos, podcasts and other information. The site also has a ‘Recall Widget’ tool that anyone can easily add to their Web site. CPSC will also have an official presence on a YouTube channel, a Twitter page, and a FlickR page. (News release, dated 09/22/09, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09346.html)

9. AMS Adds 3rd Day to Hearing on Leafy Green Vegetables Proposed Marketing Agreement

The Agricultural Marketing Service is adding a third day (September 25, 2009), if necessary, to its September 23-24, 2009 public hearing on a proposed national marketing agreement for leafy green vegetables. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 09/03/09 news, (Ref: 09090310), for BP summary of the FR notice) (D/N AO-FV-09-0138; AMS-FV-09-0029; FV09-970-1E, FR Pub 09/23/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-22992.pdf)

10. FSIS Issues Interim Guidance on Nutrient Labeling in Meat and Poultry Products

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued Interim Guidance on Labeling Nutrients in Meat and Poultry Products. This policy provides guidance on how factual statements can be declared for nutrients in a serving of meat or poultry product when the nutrients come from a food that is produced or fortified under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration for the purpose of improving the overall nutritional profile of the finished food. (Policy, posted 09/10/09, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Nutrients_Meat_&_Poultry/index.asp)

11. APHIS Removes Bird Flu Restrictions on Imports from Regions in Germany and England

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, effective October 8, 2009, is lifting certain restrictions against importation of live birds, poultry carcasses, parts or products of poultry carcasses, and eggs (other than hatching eggs) of poultry, game birds, and other birds from Saxony, Germany, and Suffolk and Norfolk counties in England, as such imports are now determined to present a low risk of introducing HPAI H5N1 avian influenza (bird flu) into the U.S. Lifted restrictions include the requirement for an import permit and government certification for processed poultry products, and the prohibition of processed/unprocessed poultry products in personal luggage.

12. APHIS Animal Product PPQ Manual Updated

On September 21, 2009, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 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 09/21/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/apm.shtml)

13. APHIS Canadian Border Agricultural Clearance PPQ Manual Updated

On September 16, 2009, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service posted an updated version of its Canadian Border Agricultural Clearance PPQ Manual, which serves as a guide for authorized Federal officers at ports of entry along the Canadian Border. (Manual, updated 09/16/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/canadian.shtml)

14. APHIS PPQ Manual for Agricultural Clearance Updated

On September 16, 2009, APHIS posted an updated version of its PPQ manual for agricultural clearance, formerly known as Airport Maritime Operations Manual, which provides CBP personnel working at airport and maritime locations with the guidelines, directions, and policy for clearing carriers and passengers/crew and controlling garbage and cargo. (Manual, updated 09/06/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/mac.shtml)

15. APHIS Fruits and Vegetables Import Manual Updated

On September 21, 2009, APHIS issued an updated version of its Fresh Fruits and Vegetables PPQ Import manual. This manual lists by country the fruits and vegetables that are admissible into the U.S. It includes a description of methods for sampling and inspecting selected fruits and vegetables, pictorial identification guides, and a glossary for common and scientific names of fruits and vegetables. (Manual, updated 09/21/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/fv.pdf)

16. FSIS Updates List of Canada and Mexico Establishments Eligible to Export Meat & Poultry

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued September 17, 2009 versions of its list of Canada and Mexicoestablishments eligible to export meat and poultry to the U.S.

17. Maldives and Central African States are Eligible to Receive Defense Articles and Services

President Obama has determined that the Maldives and the Economic Community of Central African States are eligible to receive defense articles and defense services.

18. 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:

· Australia(Sep 16, 2009)

· Mexico (Sep 15, 2009)

19. FSIS Issues Notices for its Inspection Personnel and Public

· FSIS Notice 64-09 (Sep 21, 2009): Intensified Verification Testing and "For Cause" Food Safety Assessments in Response to Ready-To-Eat Testing Results

· FSIS Directive 5100.4 (Sep 21, 2009): Prioritized Scheduling of Food Safety Assessments

· Docket No. FSIS 2008-0039 (Sep 16, 2009): Cooperative Inspection Programs: Interstate Shipment of Meat and Poultry Products

20. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

· Nicaragua Agricultural Biotechnology Annual: Report

· Syria Country Fairs Report: FAIRS Country Report

· Russian Federation Cheese Import Duties Changed to Stimulate Domestic Production: Dairy and Products

· Romania Amendments in biotech legislation: Biotechnology

· Belgium-Luxembourg Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards -- Narrative: FAIRS Country Report

· Sweden Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards -- Narrative: FAIRS Country Report

· Tunisia Exporter Guide Annual: Exporter Guide Tunisia 2009

· Venezuela Exporter Guide Annual: Exporter Guide

· Mexico SE Announces Third Allocation of Sugar: Agriculture in the Economy, Sugar, Policy and Program Announcements, Trade Policy Monitoring

· Peru Grape Report: Fresh Fruit

· Venezuela Government May Nationalize Coffee Plants: Agricultural Situation, Coffee

· Netherlands Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards -- Narrative: FAIRS Country Report

· Thailand Weekly Rice Price Update: Grain and Feed

· India Weekly Highlights and Hot Bites No. 38: Agriculture in the News

· Taiwan 2009 CSQ Rice Quota Update - September 15 Tender Results: Grain and Feed

· India Wood and Wood Products in India: Product Brief

21. 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

(Information collection notices are hyperlinked to agency name.)