Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. DHS Secretary Appoints Alan Bersin as Border "Czar"

2. UN Security Council Calls for Adjusted Sanctions Against North Korea

The United Nations Security Council has condemned the missile launch by North Korea and has agreed to adjust the measures imposed by paragraph 8 of resolution 1718 through the designation of "entities and goods" to face sanctions. It is directing the relevant Sanctions Committee to undertake its tasks to that effect, and report on the matter by April 24, 2009. Should the Committee fail to do so, "the Council will complete action to adjust the measures by April 30, 2009". (Notice, dated 04/13/09, available at http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2009/sc9634.doc.htm)

3. WTO Director-General Lamy Says Concluding Doha is Best Stimulus

World Trade Organization Director-General Lamy, in presenting his second report on trade developments associated with the financial crisis to an informal meeting of the Trade Policy Review Body on April 14, 2009, said that the best contribution to reviving economic growth is to conclude the Doha Development Agenda, which is one of the most appropriate collective stimulus packages. (Report, dated 04/14/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news09_e/trdev_14apr09_e.htm)

4. Canada Issues Corded Window Covering Product Regulations

The Canadian government is implementing its regulations on "corded window covering products," which are interior window coverings that incorporate a bead chain, cord or any type of flexible looped device in its operation. Such products may only be advertised, sold or imported if they meet the safety, labeling and information requirements of these regulations. Regulatory impact statement is available here. (Notice, available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2009/2009-04-15/html/sor-dors112-eng.html)

5. Canada Amends List of Participants in its Rough Diamond Export and Import Schedule

The Canadian government is amending its list of participants in its Export and Import of Rough Diamond Act. (Notice, available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2009/2009-04-15/html/sor-dors107-eng.html)

6. CBP Publishes 2nd Quarter Interest Rates for Over and Under Payments of Duty

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has published the rates it will use to calculate interest on overdue accounts (underpayments) and refunds (overpayments) of customs duties for the second calendar quarter beginning April 1, 2009. The interest rates for overpayments will be 3 percent for corporations and 4 percent for non-corporations, and the interest rate for underpayments will be 4 percent. (See ITT's Online Archive or 03/16/09 news, 09031625, for previous BP summary on these rates.)(FR Pub 04/15/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-8661.pdf)

7. EPA Issues Final List of Pesticide Ingredients to be Screened

The Environmental Protection Agency has published its final list of the first group of pesticide active ingredients and pesticide inert ingredients that will be tested under the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program, as required by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The screening will determine whether these chemical substances have hormonal effects. Persons potentially affected include chemical importers, manufacturers, and processors (NAICS code 325). (FR Pub 04/15/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-8709.pdf)

8. CDC Report Indicates Progress in Foodborne Illness Prevention has Reached a Plateau

The Centers for Disease Control has issued a press release announcing that its annual report on foodborne diseases indicates that the incidence of the most common foodborne illnesses has changed very little over the past three years and that salmonella continues to show least improvement. (Release, dated 04/09/09, available at http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2009/r090409.htm)

9. USTR Seeks Comments on Industry Access to EC's Satellite-Based Navigation Systems

The U.S. Trade Representative's Trade Policy Staff Committee is seeking comment by May 13, 2009 on U.S. equipment industry access to the EC Galileo program and European markets for related goods and services under Articles 5, 6, and 8 of the Agreement on the Promotion, Provision and Use of Galileo and GPS Satellite-Based Navigation Systems and Related Applications. USTR will use the comments received to prepare for a report to Congress. (D/N USTR-2009-0010, FR Pub 04/15/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-8548.pdf)

10. USDA Asks for OMB Approval of Proposed Rule on Voluntary Labeling Program for Designated Biobased Products

The Department of Agriculture has asked OMB to approve a proposed rule to establish a "USDA Certified Biobased Product" label for use on biobased products meeting certain criteria. (Notice, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoReviewSearch;jsessionid=0a65171430d638529ae143d144a2b884959f76ecc0fe.e38Nch4NbhuNa40LbN8Tb3aKa38Le6fznA5Pp7ftolbGmkTy)

11. BIS Asks for OMB Approval of Proposed Rule to Correct Regs on Defense Export Sales Subject to Offset Agreements

The Bureau of Industry and Security has sent to the Office of Management and Budget for review a proposed rule to make technical corrections to its regulations regarding the reporting requirements for U.S. firms entering into contracts for the sale of defense articles or defense services to foreign countries or foreign firms that are subject to offset agreements exceeding $5,000,000 in value. (Notice, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoReviewSearch;jsessionid=0a65171430d638529ae143d144a2b884959f76ecc0fe.e38Nch4NbhuNa40LbN8Tb3aKa38Le6fznA5Pp7ftolbGmkTy)

12. BIS April 2009 Export Enforcement Major Case List

BIS has posted it's April 2009 Major Case List of some of its more significant enforcement actions. The 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. (List, dated April 2009, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/complianceandenforcement/majorcaselist/mcl042009.pdf)

13. ICE Notice on Arrest of Two Men Trying to Smuggle Weapons into Mexico

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement states that two Mexican nationals were arrested April 11 by members of ICE's Border Security Enforcement Task Force (BEST) after they tried to buy automatic weapons and ammunition to smuggle into Mexico. (Release, dated 04/14/09, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0904/090414elpaso.htm)

14. Foreign Trade Zone Actions

The Foreign Trade Zone Board is announcing the following:

FTZ 21- Charleston, SC; Area Application for Reorganization/Expansion

FTZ 33 - Pittsburgh, PA: Application for Reorganization/Expansion

FTZ 7 - Mayaguez, P.R., Scope Clarification Request, Abbott Pharmaceuticals

FTZ 23 - Buffalo, NY, Site Renumbering

15. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

China Oilseeds and Products Annual: Part 1 of 2 - Analysis

EU-27 Market Development Reports: Harmonized Indices of Consumer Prices - February 2009

Egypt Sugar: Annual

Mexico Oilseeds and Products: Oilseeds Annual Report

Mexico Market Development Reports: Labeling Requirements

16. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

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

(CPSC notice of voluntary recalls, dated April 2009, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelapr09.html)