Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Senate Finance Objects to Over 25 Trade Provisions in FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill and Statement

2. Senate Agriculture Leaders Introduce Bill to Reduce Pollutants

The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee has issued a press release announcing that Chairman Harkin and Ranking Republican Chambliss have introduced legislation to implement pesticide-related obligations under agreements for a worldwide group of 12 toxic chemicals known as "POPs," persistent organic pollutants. Examples of these chemicals are DDT, PCBs, and dioxins. (Press release available at http://216.40.253.202/usscanf/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1851&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=2.)

3. House Passes Resolution Honoring DHS Employees

On March 4, 2009, the House of Representatives passed H. Res. 195, a resolution recognizing and honoring the employees of the Department of Homeland Security on its sixth anniversary for their continuous efforts to keep the U.S. safe. (Congressional Record, dated 03/04/09, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r111:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20090304)

4. CPSC Corrects Equipment List for Its CPSIA Phthalate Bans Test Method

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has made a technical correction to the equipment list of the test method its laboratory (LSC) will use to analyze the phthalate content in child care items and toys to determine compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. Comments are due March 31, 2009. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/11/09 news, 09021110, for previous BP summary of the test method.) (CPSC amended test method available at http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/phthalatesop.pdf)

5. ITDS Posts Information on the ITC's New HTS Online Reference Tool

The International Trade Data System Website has posted an information sheet, which describes the International Trade Commission's new HTS Online Reference Tool for users of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. (Sheet available at http://www.itds.gov/linkhandler/itds/news/itc_press.ctt/itc_press.pdf)

6. TSA Announces Ability to Transfer TWIC Card Enrollment Locations

The Transportation Security Administration has announced that it now has the ability to transfer a Transportation Worker Identification Credential card from one Enrollment Center location to a different Enrollment Center due to extenuating circumstances, such as, job transfers, seasonal work, etc. To transfer a card to a different location, please call the TWIC Help Desk at, 1-866-DHS-TWIC (1-866-347-8942) and request a card transfer. The card should arrive at the requested Enrollment Center within 3-4 weeks. (News release, dated 03/03/09, available at http://twicinformation.tsa.dhs.gov/twicinfo/index.jsp)

7. Long Beach Port "Clean Trucks Document" Web Page

The Port of Long Beach has created a "Clean Trucks Document" Web page that contains all-important documents, including applications and concessions. (Web page available at http://www.polb.com/environment/cleantrucks/docs.asp)

8. BTS Issues December 2008 Surface Trade Statistics

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has announced that trade using surface transportation between the U.S. and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners, Canada and Mexico, was 13.1% lower in December 2008 than in December 2007, dropping to $52.9 billion. The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico fell 12.8 percent in December from November. (Release, dated 03/03/09, available at http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2009/bts010_09/html/bts010_09.html)

9. USTR Corrects Meeting Date for Small and Minority Business Committee

The U.S. Trade Representative has issued a notice stating that the correct date for the partially open meeting of the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business (ITAC-11) is March 9, 2009. (FR Pub, 03/04/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-4611.pdf)

10. CBSA Announces Final AD/CV Determinations for Certain Aluminum Extrusions from China

On February 16, 2009, the President of the Canada Border Services Agency made final determinations of dumping and subsidizing regarding certain aluminum extrusions originating in or exported from China. (Decision, dated 03/03/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/i-e/ad1379/ad1379-i08-fd-eng.html)

11. UN Security Council Committee Adds Four Persons to Congo Sanctions List

A United Nations Committee Security Council Committee established for the Democratic Republic of the Congo has added four individuals to its list of individuals and entities subject to the measures imposed by paragraph 13 and 15 of Resolution 1596 (2005). (List, dated 03/03/09, available at http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2009/sc9608.doc.htm)

12. FTZB Approves Reorganization and Expansion of Salt Lake FTZ

The Foreign Trade Zone Board has adopted an order, which approved the reorganization and expansion of FTZ 30 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (FR Pub, 03/04/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-4614.pdf)

13. Revised FDA Import Alerts

The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:

Food Products Due to the Presence of Melamine and/or Melamine Analogs

All Vegetable Protein Products from China for Animal or Human Food Use Due to the Presence of Melamine and/or Melamine Analogs

Cheese Due to Microbiological Contamination

Raw Agricultural Products for Pesticides

Seafood Products Due to Nitrofurans

and Guidance of Foods Containing Illegal and/or Undeclared Colors

Processed Products for Pesticides

Raw Agricultural Products for Pesticides

Surgeons and/or Patient Examination Gloves

14. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:

(FR Pub 02/11/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-2924.pdf and http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-2922.pdf)

16. Various Agencies Seek 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):

TSA Information Collection (FR Pub 02/18/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-3443.pdf

FTC Information Collection (FR Pub 02/20/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-3645.pdf

EPA Information Collection (FR Pub 02/20/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-2557.pdf

FSIS Information Collection (FR Pub 02/20/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-3603.pdf