Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. President Calls for Passage of Pakistan, Afghanistan Reconstruction Opportunity Zone Bill

2. President Launches Major Economies Forum on Energy & Climate Change

On March 28, 2009, the President announced the launch of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate. The Major Economies Forum will facilitate a dialogue among key developed and developing countries, help prepare for the United Nations climate change negotiations that will convene in December 2009 in Copenhagen, and advance the exploration of initiatives and joint ventures that increase the supply of clean energy while cutting greenhouse gas emissions. (Press release, dated 03/28/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/President-Obama-Announces-Launch-of-the-Major-Economies-Forum-on-Energy-and-Climate/.)

3. Voluntary Recalls for Lead Paint Were 38% Lower in Jan-March 2009, No 2009 Voluntary Recalls Yet for Lead Content

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Web site, the number of voluntary recalls for lead paint violations for January to March 2009 decreased 38% from the same period last year. Specifically, from January to March 2009, there were 13 voluntary recalls for violations of the lead paint standard, down from 21 for the same period in 2008. Voluntary recalls due to lead exposure were roughly the same from January to March of both years. There have not yet been any recalls for the new total lead content limit for children's products which went into effect February 10, 2009.

4. CBP National Finance Center to Process Arrival User Fee Refund Requests

U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Port of Los Angeles has issued a Public Bulletin stating that CBP's National Finance Center in Indianapolis has been designated as the centralized processing point for requesting refunds of per arrival user fees that may have been charged to conveyances while the decal and transponder contingency plan was in effect. (Bulletin LA09-012, dated 03/27/09, available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

5. Chicago's New Email Addresses for Agriculture Ocean & Air Cargo

CBP's Port of Chicago has issued a Pipeline announcing that it established an electronic mail box for agriculture air cargo and agriculture inland (ocean) cargo. The email addresses can be used for sending routine documents such as ingredient lists, copies of permits, and container manifests. (Pipeline 09-05, dated 03/27/09, available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

6. GSA to do EIS on Expansion of San Luis I Land Port of Entry

The General Services Administration intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the potential impacts of reconfiguration and expansion of the San Luis I land port of entry operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in San Luis, Arizona. GSA is proposing to reconfigure the existing downtown San Luis LPOE and expand it to improve its functionality. (FR Pub 03/30/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-7158.pdf)

7. FMCSA Replaces Three-Strikes Policy with Two-Strikes Policy for Assessing Maximum Fines

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is replacing its "three strikes" policy with a "two strikes" policy for assessing maximum fines for investigations and cases initiated on or after April 1, 2009. Maximum fines are assessed against persons found to have committed a pattern of violations of critical or acute regulations, or to have previously committed the same or a related violation of critical or acute regulations. (FR Pub 03/30/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-7057.pdf)

8. APHIS Proposes Rule to List Korea as Free of Rinderpest and FMD, Etc.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a proposed rule to amend its regulations to add the Republic of Korea to the list of regions that are considered free of rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). APHIS is also proposing to add the Republic of Korea to the list of regions that are subject to certain import restrictions on meat and meat products because of their proximity to or trading relationships with rinderpest- or FMD-affected countries. Written comments are due by May 29, 2009. (FR Pub 03/30/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-7013.pdf)

9. ARS Requests Nominations for Biotechnology Advisory Committee

The Agricultural Research Service is requesting nominations by April 29, 2009 for qualified persons to serve as members of the USDA Secretary's Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21). Nominees of the AC21 should have recognized expertise in one or more of a variety of areas, including recombinant-DNA (rDNA) research and applications using plants or animals, intellectual property rights systems, international trade, etc. (FR Pub 03/30/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-6884.pdf)

10. OMB Approves Final Rule on Energy Conservation Standards for Electric and Gas Ranges/Ovens, Microwave Ovens, and Commercial Clothes Washers

The Office of Management and Budget Department has approved the Energy Department's final rule on energy efficiency standards for residential electric and gas ranges and ovens (including a new provision specific to microwave ovens) and commercial clothes washers. (Final rule available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoDetails?rrid=116931)

11. DOE Submits Proposed Rule on the Energy Efficiency of Fluorescent and Incandescent Reflector Lamps to OMB

The Department of Energy has asked the OMB to approve the publication of a proposed rule regarding the standards for fluorescent and incandescent reflector lamps. (Proposed rule available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoReviewSearch)

12. DOT Submits Notices on LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark Airports to OMB for Approval

The Department of Transportation has submitted notices to OMB on congestion management for La Guardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport. (DOT notice information available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoReviewSearch)

13. ICE Notice on Six Year Prison Sentence for Exporting Sensitive Equipment to Iraq

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reports that a Rochester, Michigan woman, Dawn Hanna, who had been employed by Technology Integration Group, was sentenced to serve six years in prison, followed by two years supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,141,557.23 for her role in exporting sensitive equipment to Iraq. (ICE news release, dated 03/25/09, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0903/090325detroit.htm)

14. FDA Posts Enforcement Report for March 25th

The Food and Drug Administration has posted its Enforcement Report for the week of March 25, 2009. The report contains information on actions taken in connection with agency Regulatory activities. (FDA enforcement report, dated 03/25/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ENFORCE/2009/ENF01100.html)

15. OFAC Posts Enforcement Information for March 27, 2009

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has posted its enforcement information for March 27, 2009. (OFAC enforcement information, dated 03/27/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/civpen/penalties/03272009.pdf)

16. TWIC Web Site Down on 3/27 and 3/28 Mornings

The Transportation Security Administration has announced that due to routine system maintenance, Pre-Enrollment and Card Status Check capabilities on its Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Web site will be unavailable during the following times: 3/27/2009, 10:00 PM - 1:00 AM EST, and 3/28/2009, 8:00 PM - 12:00 AM EST. (TSA news update, dated 03/27/09, available at http://twicinformation.tsa.dhs.gov/twicinfo/index.jsp)

17. U.S. Small Business Uses OPIC Loan to Support Equipment Rental Operation In Nigeria

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation has announced that a U.S. small business will use a loan from OPIC to expand its construction equipment leasing operation in Nigeria, helping the nation meet a growing demand for equipment as it accelerates its infrastructure development. (OPIC press release, dated 03/27/09, available at http://www.opic.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/pr032709.asp)

20. CBSA Determines Dumping Likely to Continue for Certain Stainless Steel Wire from U.S., Korea, Etc.

On March 12, 2009, Canada Border Services Agency determined that expiration of the finding made by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal on July 30, 2004 concerning certain stainless steel wire originating in or exported from the U.S., the Republic of Korea, and Switzerland was likely to result in the continuation or resumption of dumping of the goods into Canada. CBSA also determined that the expiry of the finding was likely to result in the continuation or resumption of subsidizing of certain stainless steel wire originating in or exported from India. (CBSA determination, dated 03/27/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/er-rre/rr2008-004/rr2008-004-e08-de-eng.html)

21. WCO Engages G20 on Financial Crisis and International Trade

The World Customs Organization has sent a communication to the G20 meeting expressing concern for the effects the global financial crisis is having on international trade and on customs administrations, particularly those in developing countries, and underlines the importance of international trade promotion as an integral part of the G20 response. (WCO communication available at http://www.wcoomd.org/files/1.%20Public%20files/PDFandDocuments/Highlights/Communication.pdf)

22. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

Colombia Grain and Feed: Annual

Thailand Bio-Fuels: Biofuel's Impact on Food Crops

23. Agency Seeks 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 approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):

APHIS Information Collection (FR Pub 03/30/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-7028.pdf