On October 25, 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.
The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule, effective November 26, 2010, which issues a significant new use rule (SNUR) under section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for the chemical substance identified as 1-Propene, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro- (CAS No. 754--12--1) which was the subject of premanufacture notice (PMN) P--07--601. This action requires persons who intend to manufacture, import, or process the chemical substance for a use that is designated as a significant new use by this final rule to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity, which would provide EPA with the opportunity to evaluate the intended use and, if necessary, to prohibit or limit that activity before it occurs.
On October 25, 2010, APHIS updated the Manual for Agricultural Clearance. The manual provides CBP personnel working at airport and maritime locations with the guidelines, directions, and policy for clearing carriers and passengers/crew and controlling garbage and cargo.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued updated versions of its list of Mexico (October 22, 2010) firms eligible to export meat and poultry to the U.S.
The Congressional Research Service has issued a report (RL34612) entitled, "Food Safety on the Farm: Federal Programs and Legislative Action." The report discusses whether more stringent safety standards are needed for farms, as exist for processors and others in the food chain, which has been an issue in Congress' consideration of pending food safety legislation.
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements has determined that certain woven flannel fabric of polyester, rayon and acrylic classifiable under HTS subheading 5515.11.0040 cannot be supplied in commercial quantities in a timely manner by Dominican Republic-Central America-U.S. Free Trade Agreement countries. The product will be added to the list in Annex 3.25 of the DR-CAFTA in unrestricted quantities. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/27/10 news, 10092723, for BP summary of the "commercial availability" request by Elder Manufacturing Company, Inc.)
The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued its annual guide to the Canadian market for U.S. food exporters. The 2010 version of the guide includes updates to the organic food section, market sector reports, consumer trends, and best prospects for U.S. consumer-oriented agricultural products in the Canadian market.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Geithner stated at the conclusion of the October 23, 2010 G-20 meeting that the most important thing achieved was an agreement on a framework for curbing excess trade imbalances in the future. Recognizing that the challenge is multilateral, surplus economies need to shift away from export dependence and a stronger policy of domestic demand, and certain other economies like the U.S. need to complete reforms to increase savings, investment, and exports. The countries also agreed to cooperate more closely on exchange rate policy.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the names of eighteen individuals in Colombia 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 19, 2010.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the name of one individual whose property and interests in property has been unblocked pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, effective October 19, 2010. The individual is Luis Manuel Sanchez Varilla of Colombia.