Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Trade Ministers End WTO Meeting, Want to Conclude Doha Soon

2. CPSC Posts FAQ on Firewalled Labs and Third-Party Testing

The Consumer Product Safety Commission posted answers to frequently asked questions on firewalled labs and third-party testing. (FAQ, dated December 2009, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/testlabqa.pdf)

3. DHS OIG Report on Major Management Challenges Facing DHS

The Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General has posted a report entitled "Major Management Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security." The report presents OIG's FY 2009 assessment of the major management challenges facing DHS. (Report OIG-10-16, dated November 2009, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_10-16_Nov09.pdf.)

4. DHS OIG Report on Information Sharing at the National Operations Center

The Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General has posted a report entitled "Information Sharing at the National Operations Center." The report addresses the strengths and weaknesses of the Office of Operations Coordination and Planning's National Operations Center. (Report OIG-10-15, dated November 2009, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIGr_10-15_Nov09.pdf.)

5. Canada Posts 2010 Export Allocation Methodologies for Softwood Lumber Exports to U.S.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has posted a notice on its 2010 Export Allocation Methodologies for softwood lumber exports to the U.S. (Notice, dated 12/02/09, available at http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/softwood-bois_oeuvre/notices-avis/167.aspx?lang=eng)

6. Canada Revises Memo on Advance Rulings for Tariff Classification

Canada Border Services Agency has revised its D-Memorandum on Advance Rulings for Tariff Classification in order to "eliminate obsolete and duplicated requirements and modify complex policies." (Memorandum, dated 11/26/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d11/d11-11-3-eng.html)

7. State Dept Comments on Recent Developments in Honduras

The State Department has posted remarks by the Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs on recent developments in Honduras. In his remarks, the Assistant Secretary noted that under the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord, the next steps should be the expeditious formation of a national unity government and the establishment of a truth commission. According to the Assistant Secretary, the U.S. will continue to work with Honduran and international partners to help fulfill the overarching goal of supporting the restoration of democratic and constitutional order. The U.S. is also encouraged by the strong call for national reconciliation made by President-elect Pepe Lobo, which also marks an important step in that direction. (Remarks, dated 12/03/09, available at http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rls/rm/2009/133101.htm.)

8. Treasury Designates Individuals, Companies Under Kingpin Act

On December 3, 2009, the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control designated 22 individuals and 10 companies as Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers for their ties to the Mexico-based Beltran Leyva Organization. Pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act), today's designation freezes any assets the designees may have under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits U.S. persons from conducting financial or commercial transactions with the designees. (Press release TG-426, dated 12/03/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg426.htm.)

9. DHS Cancels Meeting of Homeland Security Advisory Council

The Department of Homeland Security is announcing that the teleconference meeting of the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) scheduled for December 4, 2009 is cancelled. The meeting was to review the findings and recommendations of the HSAC's Sustainability and Efficiency Task Force. (D/N DHS-2009-0138, FR Pub 12/03/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28861.pdf)

10. EU Proposes 15 Month Extension of AD Duties on Footwear from China & Vietnam

The European Commission has proposed a 15-month extension of anti-dumping measures regarding certain leather footwear from China and Vietnam. The original duties, which are 16.5% on Chinese shoes and 10% on Vietnamese shoes, were imposed in 2006. Following an industry request, the Commission investigated to see whether the measures should continue after their normal expiry date. The investigation found an extension of the measures to be justified. (Press release, dated 12/02/09, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1859&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

11. EC to Consider Proposals on EC-China Drug Agreement, Temporary Suspension of Certain Duties

The European Commission will consider proposals for a: (i) Council Decision on the position to be taken by the European Union on the Agreement between the EC and China on drug precursors and substances frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances; and (ii) Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1255/96 temporarily suspending the autonomous common customs tariff duties on certain industrial, agricultural and fishery products. (Proposals, dated 12/01/09, available at http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/common/legislation/proposals/customs/COM(2009)653_en.pdf and dated 11/30/09, available at http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/common/legislation/proposals/customs/COM(2009)645_en.pdf))

12. 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 and Cooked Shrimp from India

Salmonella in Frozen Whole Fish from Thailand

13. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Report

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN report:

Korea Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Certification: FAIRS Export Certificate Report

14. 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/prereldec09.html)