Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
On November 5, 2009, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano announced the final deployment of non-intrusive scanning equipment to detect radiation emanating from materials used in nuclear devices at all Northern border land ports of entry. This project was completed ahead of schedule, and finished on Oct. 29 at the Trout River, N.Y., port of entry. (Press release, dated 11/05/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1257454349707.shtm.)
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1. DHS Announces Full Deployment of Radiation Scanning Technology to Northern Border
2. Commerce Secty Announces New Business Visa Reform Goals
During remarks at the District Export Council on November 4, 2009, Commerce Secretary Locke announced the creation of a departmental task force to reform business visas - in order to make it easier for foreign company executives to enter the U.S. to do business. Locke also reiterated his goal of eliminating dual-use export license requirements for allies and partner nations, etc. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/05/09 news, 09100515 for BP summary of dual-use export license goals.)(Speech, dated 11/04/09, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/SecretarySpeeches/PROD01_008591)
3. U.S.-EU Issues Joint Trade and Climate Change Declaration, Annexes
The White House has posted the U.S.-European Union Joint Declaration and Annexes from the recent U.S.-EU Summit. According to the declaration, the U.S. and EU agreed to (i) promote an international climate change agreement in Copenhagen, (ii) fight protectionism and lead by example by respecting the G-20 commitments to refrain from raising or imposing new barriers to trade and investments, and (iii) make determined efforts to seek in 2010 the conclusion of a Doha Development Agenda agreement. (U.S.-EU Joint Declaration and Annexes, dated 11/03/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/us-eu-joint-declaration-and-annexes.)
4. DHS Secretary Discusses Security Issues with European Counterparts
The Department of Homeland Security has announced that on November 5, 2009, DHS Secretary Napolitano joined with her European counterparts in the United Kingdom to discuss partnerships to combat terrorism, secure cyber networks and infrastructure, and support international law enforcement efforts. In meetings focused on enhancing international collaboration and partnerships, Secretary Napolitano met with representatives from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the U.K. to discuss the importance of information sharing to global security. (Press release, dated 11/05/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1257451094155.shtm.)
5. ICE Says Border Contraband Seizures Up in Latter Half of FY 2009
The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement reports that high-level representatives from three of the federal agencies responsible for combating contraband trafficking along the southern border have announced that seizures involving illegal drugs, weapons and illicit cash border-wide rose significantly in the latter half of fiscal year 2009, an increase they attribute to stepped-up enforcement efforts and increased cooperation. (News release, dated 11/03/09, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0911/091103sandiego.htm )
6 USDA to Hold Biotechnology Regulatory Stakeholder Meeting
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has announced that it will be holding a stakeholder meeting to discuss its current biotechnology regulatory activities on Nov. 17, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Riverdale, Md. (News release, dated 11/04/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2009/11/biotecmeet.shtml)
7. OFAC Lists 23 Individual and Entities That are No Longer Blocked as Narcotics Traffickers
The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the names of 23 individuals and entities (from Colombia, Bahamas, Spain, etc.) whose property and interests in property have been unblocked pursuant to Executive Order 12978, Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions with Significant Narcotics Traffickers, effective October 30, 2009. (FR Pub 11/05/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-26655.pdf)
8. EC to Consider Proposal to Amend Regulations for TIR Carnets
The European Commission has sent the European Council a proposal to amend the Customs Convention on the International Transport of goods under cover of TIR carnets, which enables goods under customs and tax suspension to cross international borders with a minimum of intervention by customs authorities. Among other things, associations would be obliged to submit to competent authorities true and certified copies of the full text of the global insurance contract. Proposal is available here. (Proposal, dated 10/29/09, available at http://ec.europa.eu/prelex/detail_dossier_real.cfm?CL=en&DosId=198750402224)
9. U.S. and EU Launch Energy Council, Initial Energy Star Agreement
The U.S. and European Union have launched the EU-U.S. Energy Council to provide a new framework for deepening the transatlantic dialogue on strategic energy issues such as security of supply, low carbon energy sources and strengthening the ongoing scientific collaboration on energy technologies. Among other things the countries have initialed a new Energy Star EU-U.S. Agreement on the coordination of energy-efficient labeling programs for office equipment. (Notice, dated 11/04/09, available at http://www.eurunion.org/eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3539&Itemid=58)
10. ECHA to Reverse Decision in First Appeal on REACH Registration
On September 16, 2009, the ECHA's Board of Appeals received its first appeal, opposing an ECHA decision to reject a registration submitted by the appellant. ECHA has concluded that the appellant's case was admissible and well-founded and has decided to rectify the contested decision, a possibility which is provided for in the REACH Regulation. (News alert, dated 11/05/09, available at http://echa.europa.eu/doc/board_of_appeal/boa_09_01_first_appeal.pdf)
11. World Economic Forum to Hold India Summit Nov. 8-10
The World Economic Forum will be holding its annual India Economic Summit in New Delhi on November 8-10, 2009. This year's Summit has set a new record for total participation with over 800 leaders from industry, government, civil society and academia from over 40 countries. The theme for this year's Summit is "India's Next Generation of Growth". (Press release, posted 11/05/09, available at http://www.weforum.org/en/media/Latest%20Press%20Releases/PR_IES09_2)
12. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
Russian Federation Carrefour Abandons Russian Food Retail Market: Retail Food Sector
13. Revised FDA Import Alerts
The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:
Raw Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Due to the Presence of Pathogenic Contamination
Raw Agricultural Products for Pesticides
Fish and Fishery Products for Importer and Foreign Processor (Manuf) Combinations