On July 9, 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.
On July 13, 2010, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Nursery Stock Restrictions Manual. This Manual summarizes the entry status of regulated plant materials capable of and intended for propagation.
On July 13, 2010, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Treatment Manual. This Manual serves as an operational guide for selecting and conducting quarantine treatments. The procedures and treatment schedules in this manual are administratively authorized for use by APHIS to prevent the movement of agricultural pests into or within the United States. Listed treatments include chemical treatments such as fumigation with methyl bromide, and nonchemical treatments with heat, cold, or irradiation.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a statement by U.S. Ambassador to the WTO Michael Punke which congratulates Dennis Francis for his election as Chair of the WTO Negotiating Group on Rules, states that the U.S. is committed to achieving a balanced and ambitious agreement within this group, and outlines U.S. viewpoints on antidumping, fisheries subsidies, horizontal subsidies, and regional trade agreements.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for ocean transportation intermediary licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:
The Government Accountability Office has issued its report to Congressional requesters entitled "Border Security: Improvements in the Department of State’s Development Process Could Increase the Security of Passport Cards and Border Crossing Cards." According to the report, the State Department developed a passport card and second generation border crossing card that generally meet standards and guidance for international travel documents and include numerous, layered security features that, according to document security experts in the Department of Homeland Security, provide adequate security against fraudulent use.
On July 7, 2010, APHIS updated its Seeds Not for Planting Manual. The manual is used for regulating importations of unprocessed seeds that are imported for consumption and are not intended for planting.
APHIS has updated the AQIM as of July 12, 2010. The handbook provides an information source for implementing AQIM at designated work locations, training employees about the basics of risk analysis and risk management, and analyzing information so managers can make better risk-based decisions
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for ocean transportation intermediary licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:
The Commerce Department announced that U.S. exports increased by 2.4 percent in May 2010 to $152.3 billion from their April 2010 level. Imports in May increased 2.9 percent over April to $194.5 billion. Commerce Secretary Locke noted that exports continue to boost the number of U.S. goods and services sold overseas -- up almost 18 percent over the first five months of the year.