On July 15, 2010, the U.S. and Turkey began the seventh meeting of the U.S.-Turkey Trade and Investment Council. The two-day meeting will cover the importance of the U.S.-Turkey trade and investment relationship and is a key step in preparations for the first formal meeting, envisioned for later this year, of the U.S.-Turkey Strategic Economic and Commercial Cooperation dialogue.
The Department of Energy has issued three notices that it is reopening the comment periods on its framework documents on proposed energy conservation standards for furnace fans and commercial refrigeration equipment; and a preliminary technical support document on walk-in coolers and freezers. Comments are now due by July 27, 2010 for furnace fans; and by July 30, 2010 for refrigeration equipment and coolers and freezers.
The Bureau of Industry and Security announces that the Emerging Technology and Research Advisory Committee, which advises on emerging technology and research activities, including those related to deemed exports, will meet on August 3-4, 2010 in Washington, DC, with an open session on August 3 to receive public comments.
The Foreign Agriculture Service has announced new one-year allocations under the Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP) for the July-June 2010/11 year. DEIP allocations of 68,201 metric tons of nonfat dry milk, 21,097 tons of butterfat and 3,030 tons of various cheeses may be made available through Invitations for Offers. These allocations correspond to total World Trade Organization limits for this year’s DEIP. Because of current international and domestic market conditions, Invitations for Offers will not immediately be made available. USDA will continue to monitor market conditions closely to determine when invitations on these allocations may be issued. Information about the DEIP, including Invitations for Offers when issued, is available www.fas.usda.gov/excredits/deip.html or by calling the Credit Programs Division, Office of Trade Programs, FAS, at (202) 720-3224 or (202) 720-6211.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service is announcing that the U.S. Delegates to the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Food (CCRVDF) have scheduled a public meeting prior to their committee meeting, to inform the public about the meeting agenda and proposed U.S. positions on relevant Codex issues. The meeting will be held on August 16, 2010 in Washington, D.C. The call-in phone number (to listen-in) is 1-866-692-3158, the passcode is 5986642.
The Federal Trade Commission is requiring a Health Sciences U.S.A. and two affiliated Canadian companies to pay $5.5 million to settle charges that it falsely advertised that its dietary supplements could help consumers lose weight and treat or prevent colds and other illnesses. The $5.5 million will be used for refunds to consumers who purchased Accelis, nanoSLIM, and any Cold MD, Germ MD, and Allergy MD product. These supplements were sold over the Internet and were widely available at retail stores. In addition, the settlement requires the marketer to stop making deceptive health claims about the products.
Export.gov has a variety of upcoming webinars. These webinars cover a variety of topics. There is also a variety of recorded webinars available. These webinars include both beginner and advanced topics.
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls announces that DTrade will undergo essential system upgrades on Friday, July 16, 2010 from 5:00 p.m- 9:00 p.m. EST. During this time, the DTrade system will not be able to accept or process submissions until maintenance is completed. MARY will be available to check submission statuses.
The Federal Trade Commission announces the settlement of a false advertising charge involving a drink for kids that contains probiotics. The FTC complaint charged that from fall 2008 to fall 2009, Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition, Inc. made false claims in television, magazine, and print ads that BOOST Kid Essentials prevents upper respiratory tract infections in children, protects against colds and flu by strengthening the immune system, and reduces absences from daycare or school due to illness. BOOST Kid Essentials is a nutritionally complete drink intended for children ages 1 to 13. The probiotics in BOOST Kid Essentials are embedded in a straw that comes with the drink, which was prominently featured in ads for the product.
The DOT's Bureau of Transportation Statistics announced on July 14, 2010, that the Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) fell 0.4 percent in May from its April level, declining after two consecutive monthly increases. The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in freight shipments in ton-miles, which are then combined into one index. The index measures the output of the for-hire freight transportation industry and consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.