Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Doha Round Day 1: Ministers Begin Final Effort to Agree to Blueprints

USTR Schwab also made a statement at the WTO Trade Negotiations Committee meeting. (USTR Schwab's statement, dated 07/21/08, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2008/July/asset_upload_file555_15033.pdf)

2. WTO Posts Unofficial Explanation of Latest Doha Agricultural Draft

The World Trade Organization posted an unofficial explanation of the latest Doha agricultural drafts that were circulated on July 10th. (Available at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/agric_e/chair_texts08_e.htm )

3. FDA Lifts Salmonella Warning about Tomatoes, Links Outbreak to Peppers

The Food and Drug Administration is updating its warning to consumers nationwide concerning the outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul. After a lengthy investigation, the FDA has determined that fresh tomatoes now available in the domestic market are not associated with the current outbreak. As a result, the agency is removing its June 7 warning against eating certain types of red raw tomatoes. The FDA, is continuing to follow epidemiological and other evidence showing that raw jalapeo and raw serrano peppers now available in the domestic market may be linked to illnesses in this outbreak. (FDA statement, dated 07/17/08, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01862.html)

4. FDA to Replace Compliance Guide Section on Fish

The Food and Drug Administration is announcing the withdrawal, effective July 18, 2008, of Compliance Policy Guide Sec. 540.575 Fish - Fresh and Frozen - Adulteration Involving Decomposition (CPG 7108.05), as the guidance in CPG Sec. 540.575 relating to decomposition in fresh and frozen fish is not current. (D/N FDA-2008-D-0265, FR Pub 07/18/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-16456.pdf)

FDA is also announcing the availability of draft Compliance Policy Guide Sec. 540.370 Fish and Fishery Products - Decomposition (the draft CPG). The draft CPG, when final, will provide FDA staff with current regulatory action guidance relating to decomposition in fish and fishery products. Written comments on draft due by September 16, 2008. (D/N FDA-2008-D-0264, FR 07/18/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-16456.pdf)

5. FDA Announces Availability of Small Entity Compliance Guide on Nutrient Content Claim Labeling

The FDA is announcing the availability of a small entity compliance guide (SECG) for a September 23, 1997 final rule entitled "Food Labeling; Nutrient Content Claims; Definition for "High Potency" and Definition of "Antioxidant" for Use in Nutrient Content Claims for Dietary Supplements and Conventional Foods." (D/N FDA-1995-N-0400 (formerly D/N 1995N-0245), D/N FDA-1995-0029 (formerly D/N 1995N-0282), D/N FDA-1995-N-0224 (formerly D/N 1995N- 0347), FR Pub 07/18/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-16448.pdf)

6. FSIS Funding for Meat and Poultry Safety Outreach Program for Spanish-Speaking Owners and Operators

The Food Safety and Inspection Service is soliciting applications for one or more cooperative agreements for a collaborative outreach program on food safety and defense. The program will target Spanish-speaking owners and operators of small and very small establishments producing meat and poultry products in the U.S. and other countries for U.S. sale. Applications are due by August 11, 2008. (D/N FSIS-2008-0018, FR Pub 06/25/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-14287.pdf)

7. USDA Seeks Members for Agricultural Export Award Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it is seeking members to serve on the Board of Evaluators for the Edward R. Madigan U.S. Agricultural Export Excellence Award Program. This award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurial efforts to expand U.S. agricultural exports. Written nominations, along with required forms, must be received by Sept. 1, 2008. (Release No. 0189.08, dated 07/17/08, available at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2008/07/0189.xml)

8. USDA to Hold Public Meeting on Biopreferred Labeling Program

U.S. Department of Agriculture officials were scheduled to hold a public meeting on July 22, 2008 on the establishment of the BioPreferred voluntary labeling program. This program will allow USDA to authorize manufacturers and vendors of qualifying biobased products to use a "USDA Certified Biobased Product" label. (Release No. 0190.08, dated 07/17/08, available at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2008/07/0190.xml)

9. Senate FY 2009 Agriculture, FDA Appropriations Bill Reported

On July 18, 2008, the Senate Appropriations Committee reported S. 3289, to make appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009 (S. Rept. 110-426). (Congressional Record, dated 07/1/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080721)

10. Senate FY 2009 State Dept Appropriations Bill Reported

On July 18, 2008, the Senate Appropriations Committee reported S. 3288, to make appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009 (S. Rept. 110-425). (Congressional Record, dated 07/1/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080721))

11. House Homeland Security Open Source Information Bill Reported

On July 21, 2008, the House Homeland Security Committee reported H.R. 3815, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to make full and efficient use of open source information to develop and disseminate open source homeland security information products, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-763). (Congressional Record, dated 07/1/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080721))

12. Clean Technology Bill for Fast-Growing Developing Countries

Treasury Under Secretary for International Affairs McCormick issued a statement that the Treasury Department welcomes the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's introduction of bipartisan legislation authorizing $2 billion for international clean technology deployment, which would play an immediate role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions growth in the fastest growing developing countries. (Treasury release, dated 07/17/08, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp1084.htm)

13. New Website for Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development/Climate

Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Dobriansky was scheduled be the featured speaker at the first of a series of briefings on the programmatic activities and results of the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP) on Thursday, July 17th. At the briefing, Under Secretary Dobriansky was to launch the new U.S. Government APP Web site, www.app.gov. (State notice, dated 07/16/08, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2008/07/107064.htm)

14. GAO Testimony on Highway Safety Improvement Since SAFETEA-LU

The Government Accountability Office released its testimony entitled "Highway Safety: Preliminary Observations on Efforts to Implement Changes in the Highway Safety Improvement Program Since SAFETEA-LU." (GAO-08-1015T, dated 07/17/08, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d081015t.pdf)

15. Man Sentenced for Trafficking Imported Counterfeit Viagra

The Justice Department reports that Iyad Dogmosh, a Jordanian national, was recently sentenced to 48 months in prison for trafficking in more than 38,000 counterfeit Viagra tablets that had been imported from a source in Egypt. (dated 07/17/08, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2008/July/08-crm-619.html )

16. ITA Issues Export Trade Certificate of Review

The International Trade Administration is announcing that it has issued an Export Trade Certificate of Review to Sirius Chemical Group, Inc. for its products, services and technology rights. The Certificate protects Sirius and its directors, officers, and employees acting on its behalf from specific antitrust actions. (Application No. 08-00004, FR Pub 06/24/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-14210.pdf)

17. FTZB Application Notice

The Foreign Trade Zone Board issued the following:

FTZ 64 - Jacksonville, Florida - Application for Expansion, Correction/Clarification

18. OFAC Adds 4 Individuals to its SDN List

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has added four leaders of an Al Qaida-Affiliated Terror Group in Algeria to its Specially Designated Nationals List. (OFAC notice, dated 07/17/08, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20080717.shtml; Treasury release, dated 07/17/08, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp1085.htm)

19. CBSA Fact Sheet on Testing, Ventilation of Marine Containers

The Canada Border Services Agency posted a fact sheet on testing and ventilation of marine containers. (dated July 2008, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/media/facts-faits/065-eng.html)

20. CBSA Notice on TRQ for Butter, Dairy Spreads, Etc.

The CBSA posted a notice entitled, "Items 159, 159.1 AND 160 - Butter, Dairy Spreads, Fats And Oils Derived From Milk, Other Than Butter Or Dairy Spreads," in order to (1) inform importers of the Minister's policies and practices respecting the administration of the 3,274,000 kilogram tariff rate quota (TRQ) for these products; and (2) inform importers that the TRQ for these products for the 2008/2009 marketing year has been entirely allocated to the Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC). (Serial No. 730, dated 07/11/08, available at http://www.international.gc.ca/eicb/notices/ser730-en.asp)