Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

2. ITDS Posts Information on How PGAs Can Access ACE Portal

The website for the International Trade Data System has posted a summary of the process and requirements for Participating Government Agencies to obtain access to the ACE Portal, including the application process for PGA employees to obtain a PGA user account in ACE. (Summary, posted 01/19/10, available at http://www.itds.gov/linkhandler/itds/toolbox/library/resource_documents/pga_access.ctt/pga_access.ppt)

3. NAM Study Recommends Lower Taxes, Revamped Export and Transport Systems to Spur Job Creation

A study conducted by the Milken Institute and sponsored by the National Association of Manufacturers reports that reducing the corporate tax rates, establishing a permanent research and development (R&D) credit, modernizing the U.S. system of export controls and making major investments in energy and transportation infrastructure would create jobs and make the U.S. more competitive. (Report, dated January 2010, available at http://www.nam.org//media/PolicyIssueInformation/Jobs%20For%20America.ashx)

4. FMCSA Announces Feb. 11th Unified Carrier Registration Plan Meeting

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is announcing a telephonic Sunshine Act meeting of the Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors on February 11, 2010. The Board will continue its work in developing and implementing the Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Agreement. (FR Pub 01/27/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-1770.pdf)

5. EPA Announces New Air Quality Standard for NO2

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced a new national air quality standard for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) of 100 parts per billion for a one-hour period. EPA also is retaining the existing annual average standard of 53 ppb. (NO2 is formed from vehicle, power plant and other industrial emissions, and contributes to the formation of fine particle pollution and smog.) (News release, dated 01/25/10, available at http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/eb9d73686196b38e852576b60059fbd5!OpenDocument)

6. EPA Says Intel is Top U.S. Green Power Purchaser

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that Santa Clara Calif., based semiconductor chip maker Intel Corporation has increased its purchase of green power and ranks No. 1 on EPA’s National Top 50 List of green power purchasers. (News release, dated 01/25/10, available at http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/92A02CF6DBC72682852576B600779064)

7. TTB Announces New Alcohol Beverage Sampling and Advertising Programs

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has issued a circular to importers, proprietors of beverage distilled spirits plants, etc., announcing the establishment of two new market-based sampling programs, the Alcohol Beverage Sampling Program and the Alcohol Beverage Advertising Program. TTB will use these programs to determine the rate of compliance by the alcohol industry with Federal alcohol beverage laws and regulations regarding advertising, labeling, and product content on an annual basis. (Circular, dated 01/13/10, available at http://www.ttb.treas.gov/industry_circulars/archives/2010/10-01.html)

8. Treasury Announces Conclusion of Tax Treaty Negotiations with Chile

On January 26, 2010, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the conclusion of the negotiation of a comprehensive bilateral income tax treaty with Chile. The new tax treaty would provide certainty and stability of tax treatment for U.S. and Chilean cross-border investors. (Press release TG-513, dated 01/26/10, available at http://www.treasury.gov/press/releases/tg513.htm.)

9. CPSC Announces Closed Compliance Meeting on Jan 27th

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a closed Sunshine Act meeting on January 27, 2010 in which the staff will brief the CPSC on various compliance matters. (FR Pub 01/27/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-1336.pdf)

10. DDTC Name Change Notices

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has announced the following entity name change(s) for new DDTC license applications. New license applications received after the listed effective date will be considered for return without action for correction to the new name (notices hyperlinked):

11. Foreign Trade Zone Board Actions and Notices

· FTZ 22: Application for Manufacturing Authority: Foreign Trade Zone 22; Chicago, IL

· FTZ 22: Application for Temporary/Interim Manufacturing Authority: Foreign Trade Zone 22; Chicago, IL

· FTZ 50: Application for Subzone: Foreign Trade Zone 50; Long Beach, CA

· FTZ 234: Reorganization of FTZ under Alternative Site Framework: Foreign Trade Zone 234; Gregg County, TX

· FTZ 39: Reorganization of FTZ under Alternative Site Framework: Foreign Trade Zone 39; Dallas/Fort Worth, TX

12. FAS Overview of Agriculture in Kazakhstan

The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service has posted a Commodity and Market Intelligence Report entitled "Kazakhstan: Agricultural Overview." (Report, posted 01/21/10, available at http://www.pecad.fas.usda.gov/highlights/2010/01/kaz_19jan2010/)

13. FAS Reports on Rice Production in Cambodia

The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service has posted a Commodity and Market Intelligence Report entitled "Cambodia: Future Growth Rate of Rice Production Uncertain." (Report, posted 01/26/10, available at http://www.pecad.fas.usda.gov/highlights/2010/01/cambodia/)

14. APHIS Canadian Border Agricultural Clearance PPQ Manual Updated

On January 22, 2010, 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 01/22/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/canadian.shtml)

15. APHIS Miscellaneous and Processed Products PPQ Manual Updated

On January 25, 2010, 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 01/25/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/miscellaneous.pdf)

16. APHIS Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Import PPQ Manual Updated

On January 25, 2010, 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 01/25/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/fv.pdf)

17. APHIS Animal Product PPQ Manual Updated

On January 15, 2010, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Animal Product Manual. This Manual provides the background, procedures, and regulatory actions to enforce the regulations governing the import and export of animals, animal products, and animal by-products. (Manual, updated 01/15/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/apm.shtml)

18. Updated List of Instructions and U.S. Plants for Exporting Meat and Poultry to Foreign Countries

FSIS has provided updated information for the export of U.S. meat and poultry to the following countries (countries hyperlinked):

· Mexico: Revised January 20, 2010

· Canada: Revised January 22, 2010

· China: Revised January 25, 2010

· Japan (Egg Products): Revised January 25, 2010

· Japan: Revised January 25, 2010

19. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports (countries hyperlinked):

· Russian Federation Government Resolution 1009 on Food Quality and Safety Control: Policy and Program Announcements, Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Food Safety

· Costa Rica Citrus Annual: Orange Juice Production and Trade

· Poland FAS Warsaw-Prague Staff Responsibilities and Contacts: Administrative

· China Food Disinfectant Materials: FAIRS Subject Report

· Italy Ministry of Agriculture Extends Brunello Decree for the Third Time: Wine

· United Kingdom Food 2030 a UK vision for a secure sustainable food supply: Food Security, Trade Policy Monitoring

· Greece Canned Deciduous Fruit Annual

· Italy Another Mozzarella di bufala Scandal: Agriculture in the News

· Russian Federation Russia Rejects further Increases in Export Tariff for Round Wood: Solid Wood Products

· Russian Federation Soybean Meal Import Duty Fixed at 5 Percent: Oilseeds and Products, Trade Policy Monitoring

· India Weekly Highlights and Hot Bites No. 3: Agriculture in the News

· Vietnam News Summary No. 1: Agriculture in the News

· Japan Citrus Annual -- Update: Budget-conscious consumers and a stronger Japanese yen signal opportunities for U.S. citrus exports

· Venezuela Expropriation Law: Agriculture in the Economy

· Venezuela Government toughens production of regulated products: Agricultural Situation, Grain and Feed

· Canada This Week in Canadian Agriculture Issue 03: Agriculture in the News

20. Canada Gazette Posts Comment Due Dates for Various Proposed Regulations

The Canada Gazette has posted the comment due dates for recently introduced proposed regulations on various topics, including:

· Canadian Food Inspection Agency's proposed Regulations Amending the Health of Animals Regulations(due March 4, 2010)

· Department of Transportation's proposed Regulations Amending the Shipping Safety Control Zones Order (due Feb. 17, 2010)

· Department of Health's proposedRegulations Amending the Pest Control Products Regulations (due Jan. 28, 2010)

21. Agency Seeks Comments on Information Collections

Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):

Agency Information Collection Comments Due

(Information collection notices are hyperlinked to agency name.)