On June 9, 2010, six trade associations and business groups issued a statement and position paper on behalf of U.S. textile and apparel retailers, manufacturers and importers regarding the mulesing of sheep in the Australian wool industry. The positions paper calls on all segments of the Australian wool industry to recommit to the goal of ending mulesing by the end of 2013. These associations also submitted a letter regarding efforts to promote wider use of the National Wool Declaration by the Australian wool industry.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology posts drafts and changes to foreign technical regulations for manufactured products which may be considered technical barriers to trade and are therefore required to be reported to the World Trade Organization, which distributes the information to WTO Member countries.
China's exports surged by 48.5% year on year in May, while the imports climbed 48.3%, the General Administration of Customs announced on June 10, 2010. Gov.cn also reports that the growth rate for exports was 18.1 percentage points up from the figure for April, and the import growth rate dipped slightly from 49.7% reported in April.
Canada's Minister of the Environment and Minister of Health intend to recommend to the Governor in Council that mercury compounds be added to the List of Toxic Substances in Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. Comments are due within 60 days of June 12, 2010.