Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. National Foreign Trade Council Launches New Trade and Climate Working Group

2. Defense Trade Advisory Group Seeks New Members for 2010-2012 Term

The State Department has issued a press release announcing that the Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG), a panel that provides advice to the U.S. Government on defense trade policy and regulations is now accepting membership applications for the upcoming 2010-2012 term. According to the press release, with the recent White House announcement of a new government-wide initiative to review the export control process, membership on this panel presents an opportunity to participate in better aligning the export control process with today's national security challenges. (Press release, dated 08/27/09, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/aug/128397.htm.)

3. DOJ and USDA to Hold Workshops on U.S. Agriculture and Antitrust Issues

The Department of Agriculture and the Antitrust Division of the Justice Department, with the participation of State Attorneys General, are announcing that they intend to hold a series of public workshops in early 2010 to explore competition and antitrust issues affecting U.S. agriculture. Written comments on the issues covered in the notice are due by December 31, 2009. (FR Pub 08/27/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-20671.pdf)

4. FDA Posts Enforcement Report for August 26th

The Food and Drug Administration has posted its Enforcement Report for the week of August 26, 2009. The report contains information on actions taken in connection with agency regulatory activities. (Report, dated 08/26/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/EnforcementReports/ucm180348.htm)

5. FTZB Notice on New Application

FTZ 134 Application for Manufacturing Authority: Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations, LLC; Chattanooga, TN. (D/N 35-2009, FR Pub 08/27/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-20710.pdf)

6. DHS Announces New Directives on Border Searches of Electronic Media

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a press release announcing new directives to enhance and clarify oversight for searches of computers and other electronic media at U.S. ports of entry. The new directives address the circumstances under which U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement can conduct border searches of electronic media - consistent with DHS' Constitutional authority to search other sensitive non-electronic materials, such as briefcases, backpacks and notebooks, at U.S. borders. (Press release, dated 08/27/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1251393255852.shtm.l)

7. Canada Determines Dumping of Certain Footwear from China, Vietnam

On August 26, 2009, the President of the Canada Border Services Agency made a final determination of dumping with respect to waterproof footwear and waterproof footwear in nearly finished form, constructed wholly or in part of rubber and/or thermoplastic rubber (TPR) originating in or exported from China and waterproof footwear and waterproof footwear in nearly finished form, constructed wholly or in part of rubber, TPR, and/or plastic originating in or exported from Vietnam. (Notice, dated 08/26/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/i-e/ad1377/ad1377-i08-nf-eng.html)

8. 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/prerelaug09.html)

9. 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:

Raw Agricultural Products for Pesticides

Mahi-mahi Because of Histamine and Decomposition

Unapproved New Drugs Promoted in The U.S.

Laser Pointers, Laser Gunsights, Laser Levels, Laser Light Shows, Laser Pointer Key Chains, & Similar Products that Fail to Comply with Applicable Performance Standards and Reporting Requirements

7. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

EU-27 Agricultural Biotechnology Annual: 2009

India Agricultural Biotechnology Annual: 2009

Philippines Agricultural Biotechnology Annual: Update on the Philippine Biotechnology

Mexico Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Narrative: FAIRS Country Report

France Fast food Sandwich and Snack Sector: Product Brief

Thailand Bangkok Newsletter - August 2009: Agricultural Situation; Market Development Reports

El Salvador Agricultural Biotechnology Annual: New Agricultural Technologies Report

Venezuela Food Inflation: Agriculture in the Economy

Ukraine Proposes Restrictive Import Regulations for Animal Products: Agricultural Situation

Mexico The Mexican Market for Soft Drinks: Product Brief

Thailand Thai FDA Revising Standard for Fluoride in Drinking Water: Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Food Safety

Chile Stone Fruit Annual: Fresh Apricot, Plums, Peaches & Nectarines and Cherry Annual Report

Hong Kong Agricultural Biotechnology Annual: 2009

Japan Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Narrative: FAIRS Country Report

Canada Exporter Guide Annual: Canada Exporter Guide Annual 2009