Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Senate Passes FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act

2. Agriculture Committee Chair Discusses Congress' Role in Trade, Doha

In a speech before the National Farmers Union, Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee Chairman Harkin addressed various trade issues, among other things. Harkin noted that Congress will insist upon and obtain a larger role in shaping U.S. trade policies and agreements than has been the case for some years. He also noted that he and 21 other Senators, wrote President Obama to tell him that the Doha Round agricultural proposal on the table in Geneva is not a balanced one for U.S. agriculture. (Harkin statement available athttp://agriculture.senate.gov/.)

3. House Energy Committee to Hold Hearing on Consumer Protection Provisions in Climate Legislation

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has announced that its Energy and Environment Subcommittee will hold a hearing on "Consumer Protection Provisions in Climate Legislation" on March 12, 2009. The hearing will examine proposals designed to assist consumers under a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Press release, dated 03/10/09, available at http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1525&Itemid=1.)

4. CPSC Posts Presentation Made at Conference on Lead and Phthalates Provisions of CPSIA

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has posted a presentation its staff made on lead, phthalates, and the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPHSO) on February 26, 2009. (CPSC presentation available at http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html)

5. DEA Proposes to List Lacosamide in CSA Schedule V

The Drug Enforcement Agency has issued a proposed rule to place the substance lacosamide [(R)-2-acetoamido-N-benzyl-3-methoxy-propionamide] and all products containing lacosamide into Schedule V of the Controlled Substances Act, which would, among other things subject lacosamide and all products containing lacosamide to the CSA and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act. Written comments are due by April 9, 2009. (DEA proposed rule, FR Pub 03/10/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-4890.pdf)

6. EPA Final Rule on Import on Halon-1301 Aircraft Fire Extinguishers

The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule, effective April 9, 2009, in order to grant a specific exemption from requirements to petition the EPA in order to import used ozone-depleting substances. The exemption would apply to entities that import spherical pressure vessels containing Halon 1301 for aircraft fire extinguishing for purposes of hydrostatic testing. (EPA final rule, FR Pub 03/10/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-5073.pdf)

7. FDA Guidance for Industry on Salmonella in Food Containing Peanuts

The Food and Drug Administration has posted a guidance for industry entitled "Measures to Address the Risk for Contamination by Salmonella Species in Food Containing a Peanut-Derived Product as an Ingredient." FDA has also posted a Peanut-Derived Produced Uses as Ingredients bulletin to operators of food service establishments and retail food stores. (FDA guidance, FR Pub 03/11/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-5367.pdf)

8. NHTSA Announces Recall of RECARO "Signo" Child Safety Seats

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is alerting consumers of a recall involving RECARO "Signo" child safety seats. RECARO is recalling these convertible child safety seats because the central front adjuster strap on some seats may slip within the metal adjuster (A-Lock) that controls the tightness of the harness straps, thereby preventing those straps from being tightened enough to properly secure a child in the seat. The affected models include RECARO Signo seats manufactured from February through September 2008. (Information available at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.f2217bee37fb302f6d7c121046108a0c/?javax.portlet.tpst=1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_viewID=detail_view&itemID=16dfd7e9211ef110V)

9. APHIS to Hold Preliminary Public Meeting in Preparation for Genetically Engineered Organisms Proposed Rule

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will hold a public "scoping session" March 13, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Riverdale, Md. The purpose of the scoping session is to invite interested parties to discuss the agenda and format for public meeting(s) to be held in April 2009 on a proposed rule to revise existing regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement and environmental release of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms. (APHIS news release, dated 03/06/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-5372.pdf)

10. FMCSA Meeting on Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Agreement

The Federal Motor Carrier and Safety Administration will hold a telephonic meeting on April 2, 2009 in order to continue their work on developing and implementing the Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Agreement. (FMCSA notice, FR Pub 03/10/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-5073.pdf)

11. U.S. and China Sign Cotton Classification and Standardization Memorandum of Understanding

On March 9, 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the China Fiber Inspection Bureau (CFIB) to establish a framework for collaboration on cotton classification methods and standards. The MOU will create uniformity between the two countries' cotton classification systems that will assist in the importation of U.S. cotton into China. In addition, it will provide regular technical meetings, information exchanges, project collaboration, cotton testing round trials and training opportunities. (News release, dated 03/09/09, available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateU&navID=&page=Newsroom&resultType=Details&dDocName=STELPRDC5075701&dID=109060&wf=false&description=USDASignsMOUwithChinaforCollaborationonCottonClassificationandStandardiz)

12. CITES Reminder on Caviar Trade Database

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species has issued a reminder on the availability of a caviar trade database. The purpose of the database is to record near-real-time information relating to exports and re-exports of caviar. The database enables monitoring of caviar in trade and assists in the verification of the authenticity and validity of permits and certificates. Other notifications to CITES parties for 2009 are available here. (Reminder, dated 03/06/09, available at http://www.cites.org/eng/notif/2009/E008.pdf)

13. WTO Releases Trade Policy Review of Brazil

The World Trade Organization has issued its Trade Policy Review of Brazil. According to the WTO, since its last review in 2004, Brazil has continued with the gradual modernization and streamlining of its trade regime, while also increasing average tariff protection. The economy has taken advantage of recent reforms and a favorable environment to grow at an annual average rate of 4.5% during 2004-2007, and 6.3% in the 12 months to September of last year. (Press release, dated 03/09/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp312_e.htm)

14. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

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

(Recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelmar09.html)