Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
American Shipper reports thatwhile the Commerce and Homeland Security departments hash out the details of the proposed mandatory electronic filing of export information via the Automated Export System, exporters and freight forwarders are concerned whether U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is prepared for the significant changes to U.S. export control practices. The article states that exporters and forwarders are worried that unprepared CBP inspectors in the port offices will cause undue stress in penalties and cargo holds. The article adds that it is critical that CBP has a policy that goes across the board and that one port is not doing more enforcement than another. (American Shipper Pub February 2007, www.americanshipper.com)
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1. U.S. Industry Hopes CBP is Prepared for Mandatory AES, Other Export Controls
2. Williamson, Pinkert Sworn in as U.S. International Trade Commissioners
According to an International Trade Commission (ITC) press release, Irving A. Williamson and Dean A. Pinkert were sworn in on February 7, 2007 and February 26, 2007, respectively, as the 81st and 82nd Commissioners of the ITC. The ITC notes that Williamson and Pinkert were nominated by President Bush on September 7, 2006, renominated on January 9, 2007, and confirmed by the Senate on February 1, 2007, for terms expiring on June 16, 2014 for Williamson and on December 16, 2015 for Pinkert. (ITC press release 07-022, dated 02/26/07, available at http://www.usitc.gov/ext_relations/news_release/2007/er0226ee1.htm)
3. APHIS Issues Correction to Proposed Rule to Add Nayarit to List of CSF-Free Regions, Etc.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a notice which corrects an error in its proposed rule to, among other things, add the Mexican State of Nayarit to the list of regions considered free of classical swine fever (CSF). APHIS states that in the summary and in the supplementary information, the phrase "CSF-affected" should be corrected to read "CSF-free." (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/14/07 news, 07021499 5, for BP summary of the proposed rule.) (APHIS correction, D/N APHIS-2006-0104, FR Pub 02/22/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-3012.pdf)
4. FWS Announces Meeting and Requests Comments on Provisional Agenda for CITES Conference
The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has issued a notice which announces a public meeting and requests comments on its provisional agenda for the 14th regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). FWS states that the meeting will be held on April 9, 2007 in Washington, DC. FWS will consider written information and comments received by April 23, 2007. (FWS notice, FR Pub 02/21/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-2872.pdf)
5. OFAC Policy on Specific Licenses for U.S. Suppliers Dealing with Certain Colombian SDNTs
The Treasury Department has issued a press release stating that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has adopted a policy to consider the issuance of specific licenses, on a case-by-case basis, authorizing U.S. suppliers to engage in certain transactions with two Colombian Government-controlled entities previously named as Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers (SDNT): G.L.G. S.A. (NIT 800023807-8) and Ramal S.A. (NIT 800142109-5). Treasury states that both entities manage certain aspects of the SDNT Casa Estrella department store, a Colombian department store chain located in Bogot and Cali, Colombia. (Treasury press release HP-268, dated 02/16/07, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp268.htm)
6. FDA Corrects Errors in Final Rule on Medical Gloves Marketed in U.S.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a correction to its December 19, 2006 final rule which is intended to improve the barrier quality of medical gloves marketed in the U.S. by reducing current acceptable quality levels (AQLs) for leaks and visual defects observed during FDA testing of medical gloves. The FDA is correcting errors in the use of references in its December 19, 2006 final rule. (FDA correction, D/N 2003N-0056 (formerly 03N-0056), FR Pub 01/19/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-682.pdf; FDA final rule, D/N 2003N-0056 (formerly 03N-0056), FR Pub 12/19/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-21591.pdf.
7. FDA Posts Various Notices to its Web Site
The Food and Drug Administration has posted the following notices to its Web site:
FDA investigating norovirus outbreak linked to oysters. FDA has issued a press release announcing that it is investigating an outbreak of norovirus-associated illness linked to eating raw oysters harvested from San Antonio Bay, TX. FDA advises consumers to avoid eating raw oysters harvested from this area after February 1, 2007. (FDA press release P07-37,dated 03/02/07, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01579.html)
Update on Salmonella outbreak related to Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter. FDA has posted to its Web site an update on the Salmonella outbreak related to Peter Pan peanut butter and Great Value peanut butter. FDA states that as a follow-up to the recent outbreak, it is conducting an extensive inspection of ConAgra's Sylvester, Georgia processing plant and samples collected by the FDA revealed the presence of Salmonella. (FDA update P07-32, dated 03/01/07, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01574.html)
Dangers of raw milk. FDA has posted to its Web site a press release and food facts information regarding the dangers of raw (unpasteurized) milk. According to the press release, raw milk potentially contains a wide variety of harmful bacteria - including Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, Listeria, Campylobacter and Brucella - that may cause illness and possibly death. (FDA press release P07-34, dated 03/01/07, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01576.html; Food facts information, dated October 2006, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/rawmilk.html)
8. Various Agencies Seek 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 (OMB) approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
| Agency | Information Collection | Comments Due |
|---|---|---|
| FDA 1 | Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements and Availability of Sample Electronic Products for Manufacturers and Distributors of Electronic Products | 03/29/07 |
| FDA 2 | Food Labeling Regulations-21 CFR Parts 101, 102, 104, and 105 | 04/30/07 |
| ITA | Commercial Service Market Segmentation Study of Moderate U.S. Exporters Focus Groups | 03/28/07 |
| CPSC | Safety Standard for Multi-Purpose Lighters | 04/30/07 |
| CBP | Land Border Carrier Initiative Program | 04/30/07 |
| FMC | 46 CFR Part 535-Ocean Common Carrier and Marine Terminal Operator Agreements Subject to the Shipping Act of 1984 | 04/02/07 |
(FDA 1 Information Collection, FR Pub 02/27/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-3258.pdf
(FDA 2 Information Collection, FR Pub 02/27/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-3257.pdf
(ITA Information Collection, FR Pub 02/28/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-3430.pdf
(CPSC Information Collection, FR Pub 03/01/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-3628.pdf
(CBP Information Collection, FR Pub 03/01/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-3557.pdf
(FMC Information Collection, FR Pub 03/02/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-3794.pdf