Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. House Transportation Committee Chair Lauds Termination of U.S.-Mexico Cross Border Trucking Pilot

2. CBP Los Angeles Bulletin on General Order Procedures

The Port of Los Angeles issued a Public Bulletin providing guidance to the trade community regarding the processing of General Order (G.O.) merchandise in the Los Angeles International Airport and Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport areas. (Bulletin LA09-009, dated 03/09/09, is available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

3. Banking Committee Chair Speaks on Enhancing U.S. Transit Systems

Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Chairman Dodd stated that enhancing the U.S. transit systems is the key to helping the U.S. tackle challenges from energy and climate change to sprawl to economic development. Dodd delivered his remarks to the American Public Transit Association (APTA) Conference as the Committee prepares to renew the U.S. surface transportation law. (Press release, dated 03/10/09, available at http://banking.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Newsroom.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=f2279c2d-7e9c-9af9-7bd0-7067090f1fb2&Region_id=&Issue_id=.)

4. Senate Banking Committee to Hold Hearing on Investing in Transit

On March 12, 2009, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs will hold a hearing on "Sustainable Transportation Solutions: Investing in Transit to Meet 21st Century Challenges." (Hearing announcement available at http://banking.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=9f4702f5-274a-4ad8-958d-d49f09c3a5c5.)

5. House Commerce Subcommittee Held Hearing on Food Safety

On March 11, 2009, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on "How Do You Fix Our Ailing Food Safety System?" Testimony was heard from William Hubbard, former Associate Commissioner, Policy and Planning, FDA, Department of Health and Human Services; and public witnesses. (Congressional Record dated 03/11/09, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r111:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20090311)

6. U.S. and China Meet in Advance of G-20 Summit in London

The State Department has issued a transcript of remarks made by Secretary of State Clinton after her meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang. According to Clinton, the U.S. and China discussed climate change clean energy, human rights, Tibet, and denuclearizing North Korea. Clinton also noted that during the meeting, the two spent time laying the groundwork for the first meeting between the U.S. and Chinese presidents, which will take place at the G-20 summit in London. (Secretary Clinton's remarks, dated 03/11/09, available at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/03/120284.htm.)

7. FDA Effective Date for Final Rule Declaring Cochineal Extract and Carmine by Name on Food and Cosmetics

The Food and Drug Administration is confirming the effective date of January 5, 2011, for the final rule that appeared in the Federal Register of January 5, 2009. The final rule amends the regulations for cochineal extract and carmine by requiring their declaration by name on the label of all food and cosmetic products that contain these color additives. (FDA notice, FR Pub 03/11/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-5286.pdf)

8. CBP Final Rule on Archaeological Material from Honduras

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a final rule, effective March 11, 2009, which amends 19 CFR to reflect the extension of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological material from the Pre-Columbian cultures of the Republic of Honduras that were imposed by CBP Decision 04-08 and expire on March 12, 2009. (CBP final rule, FR Pub 03/11/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-5001.pdf)

9. ITA Issues Notices on Three Trade Missions

The International Trade Administration has issued notices on the following trade missions: (1) Cable Television Trade Missionto South Korea, June 3-5, 2009; (2) Executive Trade Mission to Libya and Algeria, November 4-8, 2009; and (3) Revised European Port Infrastructure and Security Trade Mission to Germany, Belgium and Italy, May 4-8, 2009.

10. BIS Export Enforcement Major Cases List for March 2009

The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued its March 2009 listing of its most significant cases. This Major Cases List is comprised of two sections: new additions to the List are highlighted first, followed by major cases from over the last several years grouped by case focus. (BIS List, dated 03/09, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/complianceandenforcement/majorcaselist/mcl032009.pdf)

11. TWIC Help Desk Now Available for Individuals Outside U.S.

The Transportation Security Administration has announced that it is now offering an international Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Help Desk telephone number for individuals outside the U.S. that need information on the TWIC program at: (001) 817-359-7761. (TSA news release, dated 03/10/09, available at http://twicinformation.tsa.dhs.gov/twicinfo/index.jsp)

12. TSA Announces 1 Million Now Enrolled in TWIC

TSA has announced that one million port and longshore workers, truckers and others at ports across the nation have enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security's TWIC program. Currently, 36 of the 42 Captain of the Port Zones across the country require workers to have a TWIC. All ports must be in compliance with credential requirements by April 14, 2009. (TSA press release available at http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2009/0309.shtm)

13. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

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

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

14. FSIS Posts Updated Meat/Poultry/Egg Inspection Directory

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted an updated "Meat, Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Directory," a listing of establishments that produce meat, poultry, and/or egg products regulated by FSIS. (List available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/MPI_Directory_Establishment_Name.pdf)

15. FSIS Updates Export Requirements, Plant Lists, Eligible Foreign Establishments

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted updated export requirements for the following countries: European Union(beef, wild game, farmed game, etc.), Sri Lanka (turkey, duck, chicken), and Taiwan (beef, poultry, pork, etc). FSIS has also updated lists of U.S. plants approved to export pork to Mexico. In addition, FSIS updated its list of eligible foreign establishments in Honduras, Italy, and United Kingdomcertified to export meat, and/or to the U.S.

16. 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:

Seafood Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella

and Guidance of Foods Containing Illegal and/or Undeclared Colors

Honey and Blended Syrup Due to Presence of Fluoroquinolones

17. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

FAS issued the following GAIN reports:

Australia Agricultural Situation: Government Announces A$32m Research into Soil Carbon & Emissions

China Poultry and Products: Semi-Annual

Japan Poultry and Products: H7N6 Avian Influenza Outbreak in Commercial Quail Flocks

Russian Federation Livestock and Products: Meat and Poultry Prices Update