The Food Safety and Inspection Service reported that the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization’s Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JEFCA) has issued a correction clarifying that the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for Apramycin are temporary. FSIS also announced a WHO call for comments on guidelines on sodium and potassium consumption.
The International Trade Administration is announcing the opportunity to request administrative reviews by April 2, 2012 for producers and exporters subject to 17 antidumping orders and 5 countervailing duty orders with March anniversary dates. Affected products include orange juice, stainless steel bar, polyvinyl alcohol, etc.
The International Trade Administration has issued the preliminary results of its administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain frozen warmwater shrimp from China (A-570-893) for two exporters and the China-wide rate, which is unchanged since the last review. The ITA has also preliminarily determined to revoke the order with respect to Hilltop International. These preliminary results are not yet in effect, may change in the final results, and could affect the estimated AD cash deposit rates for these companies.
On March 1, 2012 the following trade-related bills and resolutions were introduced:
The Foreign Trade Zones Board has issued a final rule, effective April 30, 20121, to comprehensively revise and update the Foreign Trade Zone regulations in 15 CFR Part 400. Key revisions in the final rule pertain to activities in and procedures for zones in which an imported component is combined with one or more other components to create a different finished product, and expedited access to FTZ benefits for U.S. manufacturers.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service reports that two Codex electronic working groups (eWG) will be meeting to discuss control of zoonotic parasites and Nutrient Reference Values for labeling purposes.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a set of public hearings relating to its February 24, 2012 proposed driver distraction guidelines. The hearings will provide opportunities for the public to present oral testimony regarding the proposal. NHTSA will hold three public hearings on the following dates: March 12, 2012 in Washington, D.C.; March 15, 2012 in Chicago; and March 16, 2012 in Los Angeles. Each hearing will start at 9 a.m. and continue until 12 noon, local time.
On February 28, 2012 Commerce Secretary Bryson held a joint meeting of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee and the Export Promotion Cabinet to discuss strategic priorities for promoting trade and U.S. exports and receive input on new initiatives. He highlighted the progress with the National Export Initiative and the need to strengthen efforts to continue to increase U.S. exports. The groups discussed the President’s Executive Order establishing the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center, which will be the primary forum for the federal government to coordinate enforcement of international and domestic trade rules.
The International Trade Administration has issued the final results of the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on steel wire garment hangers from China (A-570-918) which sets an AD cash deposit rate for one exporter and continues the China-wide cash deposit rate from the last review for others. These rates, which are effective March 1, 2012, are expected to be implemented by U.S. Customs and Border Protection soon.
The International Trade Administration has issued the final results of the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain steel nails from China (A-570-909) which sets the AD cash deposit rate for 18 exporters and continues the China-wide cash deposit rate from the last review for others. These rates, which are effective March 1, 2012, are expected to be implemented by U.S. Customs and Border Protection soon.