The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is reopening the comment period until June 12 on its proposals to allow imports of avocados (here) and apricots (here) from Spain to the continental U.S. APHIS issued the avocado and apricot proposals in January (see 13012924 and 13012926, respectively). Comments were originally due April 1, but APHIS said it will also accept comments submitted between the close and reopening of the comment period (i.e., between April 2 through May 28).
A referendum on certain provisions of the Cotton Research and Promotion Order is unnecessary, said the Agricultural Marketing Service, but the agency will nonetheless accept referendum requests from importers and producers to hold a vote. AMS is required by law to consider holding a referendum every five years on 1990 changes to the cotton order, including elimination of assessment refunds to producers and assessments on imported cotton. After an initial referendum approved the changes in 1991, AMS said votes weren’t needed in 1996, 2001, and 2006. This time, following a request for comments on those provisions (see 11060126), AMS said once again that no referendum is necessary. But if enough importers and producers of cotton send requests for a vote, the agency will hold one.
A listing of recent antidumping and countervailing duty messages from the International Trade Administration posted to CBP's website May 24, along with the case number(s) and CBP message number, is provided below. The messages are available by searching for the listed CBP message number at addcvd.cbp.gov. (CBP occasionally adds backdated messages without otherwise indicating which message was added. ITT will include a message date in parentheses in such cases.)
While accepting the general outline of CBP’s proposed test method to determine classification for footwear with textile soles, the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) said the agency needs to include more detail in its final version. The group submitted its comments in response to CBP’s proposed test method for administering Harmonized Tariff Schedule Chapter 64, additional note 5. “The test method and the manner in which the test results will be used must be described in a great deal more detail in order to ensure uniformity and consistent results and to avoid unnecessary testing,” FDRA said.
U.S. small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are already seeing gains from the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (UKFTA), and they think benefits will grow over time, according to a report by the International Trade Commission. To compile the report, the ITC surveyed SMEs that export to South Korea on their experiences. The report discusses the effects of the FTA on the production, distribution, and export strategy of the U.S. SMEs surveyed, and describes benefits and challenges the companies have faced.
The International Trade Commission is publishing notices in the May 24 Federal Register on the following AD/CV injury, Section 337 patent, and other trade proceedings (any notices that warrant a more detailed summary will appear in another ITT article):
The International Trade Commission is asking for comments by about June 1 on public interest factors raised by Rohm and Hass’ May 21 Section 337 patent complaint on opaque polymers (see 13052115). According to Rohm and Hass and its parent company Dow Chemical, Organic Kimya, a company headquartered in Turkey with a Dutch subsidiary, manufactures opaque polymers that infringe its patents. These infringing products are then imported by Turk International and Aalborz Chemical. Rohm and Hass is requesting cease and desist orders and limited exclusion orders blocking import and sale in the U.S. of infringing opaque polymers.
The International Trade Commission is beginning a formal enforcement proceeding to determine if Delorme is violating Section 337 by selling global satellite communication devices that infringe BriarTek’s patents, in violation of a consent agreement. BriarTek requested the investigation April 10 (see 13041233). According to BriarTek’s complaint, a consent order between BriarTek and Delorme that went into effect April 1 barred unlicensed importation and sale of the infringing devices. Delorme never obtained the required licensing agreement, said BriarTek. Along with a cease and desist order, BriarTek is requesting penalties in the amount of twice the value of the good, or $100,000, whichever is greater.
Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the following voluntary recalls May 23:
On May 23 the Food and Drug Administration posted new and revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of: