The Federal Maritime Commission has announced that it will hold confidential hearings on May 11-13, 2010 pursuant to its investigation into current conditions and practices in the U.S. liner trades, including container vessel capacity and equipment availability, as well as potential impediments to the flow of ocean-borne import and export trades.
On April 28, 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. (Manual, updated 04/28/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/mac.shtml)
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has released its 2010 “Special 301” annual report on the adequacy and effectiveness of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection by U.S. trading partners.
The Food and Drug Administration has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to request data and information on the food1 transportation industry and its practices. FDA is also requesting data and information on the contamination of transported foods and any associated outbreaks.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued updated (April 28, 2010) version of its list of Canada establishments eligible to export meat and poultry to the U.S. (List, updated 04/28/10, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Canada_establishments.pdf)
On April 28, 2010, APHIS updated its PPQ Export Program Manual. This is an operational manual for Authorized Certification Officials to enable them to inspect and issue Federal Export Certificates for plants and plant products. The Manual also provides information that helps exporters meet the plant quarantine import requirements of foreign countries. (Manual, updated 04/28/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/domestic/xpm.shtml)
The State Department has announced that the U.S., Canada and Mexico submitted a joint North American proposal on April 30, 2010 to phase down the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. (State release, dated 04/30/10, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/04/141074.htm)