Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Congressional Anti-Piracy Caucus to Monitor Copyright Piracy in Canada, China, Mexico, Russia, and Spain

2. Assistant USTR's Statement on U.S.-Panama TPA

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has posted the statement of the Assistant USTR for the Americas before the Senate Finance Committee on the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement. (Statement, dated 05/21/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Transcripts/2009/May/asset_upload_file918_15660.pdf)

3. EPA Announces Planned Reduction of GHG for All New Cars, Trucks

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that on May 19, 2009, President Obama set in motion a new national policy aimed at both increasing fuel economy and reducing greenhouse gas pollution for all new cars and trucks sold in the U.S. The new standards, covering model years 2012-2016, and ultimately requiring an average fuel economy standard of 35.5 mpg in 2016, are projected to save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life of the program with a fuel economy gain averaging more than 5% per year and a reduction of approximately 900 million metric tons in GHG emissions. (New Release, dated 05/19/09, available at http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/451902cb77d4add5852575bb006d3f9b!OpenDocument)

4. Upcoming DOT/EPA Rulemaking to Establish Vehicle GHG Emissions and CAFE Standards

The Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation are announcing their intent to conduct a joint rulemaking to propose standards for control of emissions of greenhouse gases and for fuel economy. If proposed and finalized, these standards would apply to passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, minivans, pickup trucks, etc. The approach addressed in the EPA/DOT notice, if ultimately adopted, is intended to allow manufacturers to build a single light duty national fleet. (FR Pub 05/22/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-12009.pdf)

5. USDA Announces Launch of New Food Safety Working Group Web Site

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that the Administration has launched a new Web site to provide information about the White House Food Safety Working Group, led by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. New Web site is available here. (Release No. 0177.09, dated 05/21/09, available at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/05/0177.xml)

6. APHIS Deregulates Genetically Engineered Cotton

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced that after a thorough review of scientific evidence, it will deregulate the genetically engineered cotton line GHB614. The cotton and its progeny can now be moved freely and planted without the requirement of permits or other regulatory oversight by APHIS. (News Release, dated 05/21/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2009/05/cottonge.shtml)

7. Domega Issues Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in Certain Spiced Bean

The Food and Drug Administration has posted a recall notice announcing that Domega International Ltd., Inc. is recalling FMD BRAND SPICED BEAN that was imported from China because it contains undeclared sulfites. (Notice, dated 05/20/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/domega05_09.html)

8. FDA Posts Enforcement Report for May 20th

The Food and Drug Administration has posted its Enforcement Report for the week of May 20, 2009. The report contains information on actions taken in connection with agency regulatory activities. (Report, dated 05/20/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ENFORCE/2009/ENF01108.html)

9. OFAC Extends Authorization for Belarus General License

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued and posted on its Web site an amendment to Belarus General License No. 1-A, which was issued on February 19, 2009. This amendment,Belarus General License No. 1-B , extends the authorization for all transactions between U.S. persons and Lakokraska OAO and/or Polotsk Steklovolokno OAO for a period of 180 days (until November 30, 2009). (Notice, dated 05/21/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20090521.shtml)

10. BIS Issues Defense Industrial Base Study of U.S. Industry's Capability to Design and Fabricate Integrated Circuits

The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a press release on a BIS study which states that U.S. companies retain broad domestic capability to create and manufacture integrated circuit products (IC), which the Department of Defense views as essential to U.S. strategic capabilities in weapons systems and other national security-related products. (Press Release, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2009/bis_press05202009.htm)

11. BIS' Regulations and Procedures Committee to Meet June 9

BIS is announcing that the Regulations and Procedures Technical Advisory Committee (RPTAC) will meet June 9, 2009 for a partially open meeting. (FR Pub 05/22/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-12025.pdf)

12. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:

(CPSC recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelmay09.html