China's Ministry of Commerce reports that China's Premier Wen Jiabao recently said China would keep the yuan exchange rate "basically stable" at an "appropriate and balanced level" this year, and that Commerce Minister Chen has said that China's exchange rate should not be politicized. (Notice, dated 03/11/10, available at http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/counselorsreport/asiareport/201003/20100306815949.html)
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a proposed rule to amend its regulations to add nine types of constrictor snakes to the list of injurious reptiles under the Lacey Act (18 USC 42).
On April 1, 2010, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is scheduled to implement Phase IV of its enforcement phase-in schedule for the Lacey Act declaration requirement for imported plants and plant products.
During the February 25, 2010 Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Related Homeland Security Functions (COAC) meeting, a CBP official and COAC's Agriculture Subcommittee provided an update on agricultural issues. Highlights of this update include:
The International Trade Administration's U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is organizing a Trade Mission to Bogot and Cartagena, Colombia and Panama City, Panama, September 20-24, 2010, which will focus on helping U.S. companies launch or increase their export business in these markets. (FR Pub 03/03/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-4350.pdf)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has updated its Lacey Act Amendment postings by issuing a February 2010 version of its Lacey Act Primer.
On February 17, 2010, Transportation Secretary LaHood announced Recovery Act awards to fund innovative transportation projects. The TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grant Program was included in the Recovery Act to spur transportation projects that promise significant economic and environmental benefits, including improvements to roads, bridges, rail, ports, transit and intermodal facilities. (White House, dated 02/17/10, available for http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/secretary-lahood-announces-funding-over-50-innovative-strategic-transportation-proj.)
The Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a press release announcing that it will issue a proposed rule in February 2010 to list the Burmese python and eight other large constrictor snakes as "injurious wildlife" under the Lacey Act, which would prohibit importation and interstate transportation of the animals.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has updated the Lacey Act Declaration postings on its Website to include an updated Lacey Act Primer and a sample BRASS/ALR blanket declaration spreadsheet. APHIS is also planning an update to the declaration form (PPQ 505), and is interested in creating instructions for those filing the Lacey Act declaration electronically, etc..
"Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions" is a regular feature of International Trade Today. The following are brief summaries of recent Capitol Hill actions.