Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

November 18, 2009 |Top News

Members of the International Longshoremen's Association, AFL-CIO on November 17, 2009 ratified a two-year Master Contract extension -to September 30, 2012 - that calls for raises in pay, begins to bridge the gap for lower-tiered ILA workers, eliminates the container royalty cap and addresses the issues of jurisdiction and new technology. The ILA represents some 65,000 waterfront employees on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, the Great Lakes, major U.S. rivers, Eastern Canada, and Puerto Rico. (ILA 11/17/09 press release available at http://www.ilaunion.org/news_contract_ratified.html )

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1. ILA Ratifies Contract Extension to September 2012

2. U.S. and China Agree to Expedite BIT Negotiations, Etc.

According to China's People's Daily Online, the U.S. and China issued a joint statement after President Obama and President Hu Jintao's meeting. Among other things, the two sides agreed to expedite negotiation on a bilateral investment treaty and work proactively to resolve bilateral trade and investment disputes in a constructive and mutually beneficial manner. (Notice, dated 11/17/09, available at http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/6815586.html)

3. China's AQSIQ Has Granted "Geographical Indication of Origin" to Scotch Whisky

According to China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, it will register Scotch Whisky as a Geographical Indication of Origin product in China. AQSIQ states that China has processed over 10 international applications for GI protection since May 2009. (News release, dated 11/17/09, available at http://english.aqsiq.gov.cn/NewsRelease/NewsUpdates/200911/t20091117_130796.htm)

4. FAS Gives U.S. Organizations More Than $234 Million to Promote Food/Ag Exports in FY 09

USDA Secretary Vilsack announced that 70 U.S. trade organizations received more than $234 million in fiscal year 2009 to help promote American food and agricultural products overseas. The funding was allocated under the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program, both administered by USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service. (News release, dated 11/11/09, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0278-09)

5. DHS Secretary Meets with Private Sector Critical Infrastructure Leaders

On November 17, 2009, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano hosted the first in a series of roundtable meetings with private sector leaders to discuss critical infrastructure security and unveiled a new Web site designed to inform the public about DHS' critical infrastructure protection, readiness and resiliency efforts. (Press release, dated 11/17/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1258492512905.shtm.)

6. CPSC Reports on Toy-Related Deaths and Injuries in 2008

CPSC has posted a report of 2008 toy-related deaths and injuries. In 2008, there were an estimated 235,300 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments and 19 reported deaths. (Report, posted 11/17/09, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/library/toymemo08.pdf)

7. FDA to Look Into Safety of Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverages

The Food and Drug Administration has notified nearly 30 manufacturers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages that it intends to look into the safety and legality of their products. (News release, dated 11/13/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm190427.htm)

8. OMB Receives FSIS Proposed Rule on Mandatory Inspection of Catfish

The Office of Management and Budget has received a proposed rule from the Food Safety Inspection Service on the mandatory inspection of catfish and catfish products, as required by the 2008 Farm bill. (Rule, received 11/13/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200904&RIN=0583-AD36)

8. OMB Completes Review of DEA Final Rule on Importer Registration for Prescription Drugs Containing Ephedrine, Etc.

OMB has approved a Drug Enforcement Agency final rule on registration list requirements for importers and manufactures of prescription drug products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine. (Rule, completed 11/13/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200904&RIN=1117-AB09)

9. OMB Completes Review of Final Rule on Thresholds for List I Chemicals Such as Ephedrine

OMB has approved a DEA final rule that removes domestic, import, and export thresholds for the List I chemicals ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine. This action is being taken both to implement the quota provisions of the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 and due to the potential for diversion of these List I Chemicals. (Rule, completed 11/13/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200904&RIN=1117-AB10)

10. FAS Announces GSM-102 Credit Guarantees for Export Sales

The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service has announced the availability of credit guarantees for sales of U.S. agricultural commodities under the Commodity Credit Corporation's Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102) for fiscal year 2010 to 13 regions and countries. (News release, posted 11/13/09, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/info/newsevents.asp)

11. FAS Notice on GSM-102 Program Changes for Countries

FAS has announced changes to the GSM-102 Program for fiscal year (FY) 2010, which began Oct. 1, 2009. These changes will also be noted in individual FY 2010 country and regional program announcements. (News release, dated 11/13/09, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0280-09)

12. APHIS Canadian Border Agricultural Clearance PPQ Manual Updated

On November 13, 2009, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Canadian Border Agricultural Clearance Manual. This Manual serves as a guide for authorized Federal officers at ports of entry along the Canadian Border. (Manual, updated 11/13/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/canadian.shtml)

13. Miscellaneous and Processed Products PPQ Manual Updated

On November 12, 2009, APHIS updated its Miscellaneous and Processed Products PPQ Manual. The manual is used for regulating imported items that are processed and are not intended for propagation. (Manual, updated 11/12/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/miscellaneous.pdf)

14. OFAC Newly Blocks 25 Entities, 14 Individuals for Narcotics Trafficking

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the names of 25 newly designated entities and 14 newly designated individuals (largely located in Colombia and Spain) whose property and interests in property are blocked effective November 10, 2009 pursuant to Executive Order 12978, ''Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions with Significant Narcotics Traffickers.'' (FR Pub 11/07/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-27460.pdf)

15. OFAC Issues Amendment to Belarus General License No. 1-B

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued and posted on its Web site an amendment to Belarus General License No. 1-B, which was issued on May 21, 2009. This amendment, Belarus General License No. 1-C, extends the authorization for all transactions between U.S. persons and Lakokraska OAO and/or Polotsk Steklovolokno OAO until May 31, 2010. (Notice, dated 11/13/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20091113.shtml)

16. FDA Posts Enforcement Report for November 11th

The Food and Drug Administration has posted its Enforcement Report for the week of November 11, 2009. The report contains information on actions taken in connection with agency regulatory activities. (Report, posted 11/11/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/EnforcementReports/ucm190285.htm)

17. Canada's DFAIT Issues Notices on Beef and Veal Imports

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has issued a notice outlining its policies and practices regarding the administration of the beef and veal tariff rate quota (TRQ). It has also issued a notice on supplemental imports for beef and veal. (Notice, dated 11/06/09, available at http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/prod/agri/beef-boeuf/notices-avis/759.aspx?lang=eng)