Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

October 29, 2009 |Top News

In a letter to Secretary of State Clinton, eight U.S. textile and apparel trade associations warned that the continuing crisis in Honduras is causing permanent damage to what once was the most economically vibrant textile and apparel trade platform in the CAFTA region. The letter is a follow-up to a September 25th letter to the Secretary which noted job losses in the U.S. and Honduras and urged the U.S. government to support a quick resolution of the crisis. (Press release, dated 10/28/09, available at http://www.ncto.org/newsroom/pr20091028.pdf.)

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1. Textile Trade Associations Warns Secretary of State of Impact of Honduras Crisis

2. Trade Associations, Companies Urge Congress to Renew ATPA

Numerous trade associations and companies have sent a letter to leaders of the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees urging them to seek an expeditious renewal of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), which is currently is set to expire on December 31, 2009. (Letter, dated 10/27/09, available at http://www.apparelandfootwear.org/letters/andeancoalitionltr0910.pdf.)

3. TTB Continues Requirement for Certification of Brunello de Montalcino Wines

On October 20, 2009, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade officials met with the Italian government regarding ongoing investigations into the improper blending of several Italian wines including Brunello di Montalcino. According to TTB, at this time, it is continuing to enforce the certification requirement and has no plans to lift it. Additional release available here. (Press release, dated 10/27/09, available at http://www.ttb.treas.gov/press/fy09/press-release-continues-requirement-burnello-di-montalcino.pdf)

4. FTC Proposes New Light Bulb Labels, Seeks Public Comments

The Federal Trade Commission has proposed new labeling requirements for "lamps", commonly known as light bulbs, in response to a congressional mandate. The proposed rule seeks comment on new labels that emphasize lumens, not watts, as the measure of bulb brightness. This information, along with estimated energy cost information, would appear on the front of the light bulb package. The back of the package would display a "Lighting Facts" label modeled after the "Nutrition Facts" label for food packages. (News release, dated 10/27/09, available at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/lightbulbs.shtm)

5. U.S. Pledges Funds to Support Pakistan's Border Security Programs, Etc.

On October 28, 2009, during a meeting in Islamabad with Pakistani Prime Minister Gilani, Secretary of State Clinton pledged $103.5 million in U.S. support for the Government of Pakistan's priority law enforcement and border security programs. This new commitment brings total support for these programs in 2009 to $147.2 million. (Press release, dated 10/28/09, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/oct/131026.htm.)

6. DHS/DOJ Interim Rule on Northern Mariana Immigration Laws

The Departments of Homeland Security and Justice have issued an interim final rule, effective November 28, 2009, which conforms their respective regulations to comply with the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (CNRA). The CNRA extends the immigration laws of the United States to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Written comments are due by November 27, 2009. (D/N USCIS-2008-0039, FR Pub 10/28/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-26094.pdf)

7. OFAC Blocks Property of One Mexican Entity, Six Individuals Under Kingpin Act

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the name of one Mexico entity (Tienda Marina Abaroa) and six Mexican individuals whose property and interests in property have been blocked, effective October 22, 2009, pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. (FR Pub 10/28/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-25898.pdf)

8. D.C. Lobbyist Indicted for Conspiring to Violate Sudanese Sanctions, Act as Illegal Agent of Sudan

A Washington D.C. lobbyist has been indicted in the District of Columbia on eight counts, one count for conspiracy to violate the Sudanese sanctions regulations and to act as an unregistered agent of a foreign power, four counts of violating the Sudanese sanctions regulations, as well as one count apiece of money laundering, passport fraud and making false statements. The lobbyist was the principal and managing director of a Washington, D.C. consulting firm and a former State Department employee. (Press release, dated 10/27/09, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/October/09-nsd-1158.html)

9. Meeting of the Shipping Coordinator Committee on November 13, 2009

The Shipping Coordinating Committee will conduct an open meeting at 9:30 AM on November 13, 2009, in Washington, DC. The primary purpose of the meeting is to prepare for the 26th Session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly (A 26) and the 25th Session of the IMO Council Extraordinary Session (C ES 25). (Press release, dated 10/28/09, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/oct/131012.htm.)

10. DHS Secretary to Travel to Europe, UAE to Meet on Privacy Protection, Etc.

Secretary Napolitano will travel to Belgium, Denmark, Spain, the United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom on November 2-8, 2009 to meet with her international counterparts to discuss information sharing and privacy protection; collaborative efforts to secure cyber networks worldwide; and coordination to combat transnational criminal activity and the global threat of terrorism. (Press release, dated 10/28/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1256739701703.shtm.)

11. ITA Issues Preliminary CV Determination on Prestressed Concrete Steel Wire Strand from China

The International Trade Administration has issued a fact sheet announcing its preliminary affirmative CV duty determination on prestressed concrete steel wire strand from China, with preliminary CV duty rates ranging from 7.53% to 12.06%. (Fact sheet, dated 10/27/09, available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-prc-pcsws-ad-prelim-102709.pdf)

12. ITA Issues Preliminary CV Determination on Steel Grating from China

The ITA has issued a fact sheet announcing its preliminary affirmative CV duty determination on certain steel grating from China, with preliminary CV duty rates of 7.44%. (Fact sheet, dated 10/27/09, available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-prc-grating-cvd-prelim-102709.pdf)

13. EC Proposes CO2 Emissions Limit for Light Commercial Vehicles

The European Commission has proposed legislation to reduce the average CO2 emissions of light commercial vehicles (vans) to 175 grams per kilometer. The proposal will be phased in from 2014 to 2016. (Press release, dated 10/28/09, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1605&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

14. EC Proposes Actions to Improve Food Supply Chain in Europe

The EC has proposed actions to improve the functioning of the food supply chain in Europe such as: better identify unfair contractual practices stemming from asymmetries in bargaining power; closely monitor developments of competition issues within the supply chain; and review selected environmental standards and origins labeling schemes that may impede cross-border trade. (Press release, dated 10/28/09, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1593&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

15. EC Customs Administrations Meet w. Pharmaceutical Companies on Detained Shipments

The EC posted a joint statement on a dialogue that took place in September 2009 between EU customs administrations and pharmaceutical companies regarding recent detained shipments of pharmaceutical products in transit through the EU. Among other things, the participants welcomed the affirmation that it is neither the policy nor practice of these customs authorities to use their powers of detention to prevent the flow of legitimate generic products from the manufacturer to customers outside the EU. (Statement, dated 09/14/09, available at http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/customs/customs_controls/counterfeit_piracy/right_holders/jointstatement_customs_pharma.pdf)

16. CBSA Revises D-Memoranda on Obsolete/Surplus Goods, Motor Vehicle Drawback

Canada Border Services Agency has revised the following D-Memoranda:

D7-2-3 Revised: Obsolete or Surplus Goods

D7-3-2 Revised: Exported Motor Vehicles Drawback

17. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Import PPQ Manual Updated

On October 19, 2009, APHIS updated its Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Import PPQ Manual. The manual lists by country fruits and vegetables that are admissible into the United States. It includes a description of methods for sampling and inspecting selected fruits and vegetables. It also contains pictorial identification guides, and a glossary for common and scientific names of fruits and vegetables. (Manual, updated 10/19/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/fv.pdf)

18. FSIS Updates Lists of Mexico Establishments Eligible to Export Meat & Poultry

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued updated (October 26, 2009) versions of its list of Mexico establishments eligible to export meat and poultry to the U.S. (List, updated 10/26/09, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Mexico_establishments.pdf)